senate Oflore of the Sit clut TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) AUG -4 P5:42 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED Bi: S. No.. Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 9165, as amended, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" was enacted into law "to provide effective mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation". However, there remains to be a large number of drug dependents in the country. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated around 1.7 million Filipinos who were taking drugs.! What is more alarming is that the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) stated that nearly half of drug abuse cases start from 15 to 19 years old. Among the reasons why teenagers use illicit drugs are curiosity and experimentation, boredom, peer pressure, rebellion, instant gratification, stress and anxiety, social isolation, lack of confidence, escapism, self-medication, weight 1 Voluntary care model for persons who use drugs resulted in over 90% completion for treatment rate
loss, and influence of popular media.? For these reasons, WHO recommended that "substance use disorders are similar to other chronic health conditions. They are linked to the individual's health and social conditions, and are best managed with a public health perspective and a human rights lens."3 In line with the government's efforts rehabilitate drug dependents in the country, various treatment and rehabilitation programs were launched. According to the records of the DDB, there were 3,865 admission in seventy (70) treatment and rehabilitation facilities in the country. "Compared with the previous year's cases, around forty-three percent (43%) increase in admission was noted despite some facilities having reported no admissions. The rise in admission can be attributed to the resumption of operation by the different rehabilitation centers and the seeming willingness of the Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) to undergo treatment and rehabilitation as evidenced by almost forty-one percent (40.78%) of voluntary submission and twenty-nine percent (29%) cases who availed of plea bargaining. "4 This large percentage of dependents who are willing to undergo treatment and rehabilitation is an optimistic signal that they intend to lead better lives. It is, therefore, important to sustain the support that is being provided to them and expand its scope to include skills training and productivity enhancement that will prepare them to be self-reliant and qualified for gainful employment. This will not only improve their families' economic conditions, but will also contribute to the country's development. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been providing training and livelihood scholarships to former drug dependents since 2016. In 2021, 8,200 of the 8,700, or 94% of former drug dependents graduated from various courses of TESDA.5 2 The Scary Facts About Teenage Drug Abuse - Blogs - Makati Medical Center 3 Voluntary care model for persons who use drugs resulted in over 90% completion for treatment rate 4 2022 Statistical Analysis - Republic of Philippines - Office of the President (ddb.gov.ph) 5 TESDA training for rehabilitated drug dependents hurdles House final reading | Philstar.com
This measure seeks to institutionalize TESDA's Technical-Vocational Education and Training and Livelihood Programs for rehabilitated drug dependents. Such institutionalization will ensure the continuity of the program and the provision of adequate funding for its implementation. Further, this bill proposes to give incentives to establishments that will employ the graduates of the said program. This will provide them with holistic support system for their re-integration in the society. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended. isolat l. SINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
Silier othe erry TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 AUG -4 P5:42 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 859 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Training and Livelihood Programs for Rehabilitated Drug
2 Dependents. - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 3 in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall institutionalize the provision of technical-vocational education and training (TVET) 5 and livelihood programs designed specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. The 6 TVET and livelihood programs shall focus on competitive and employable skills that 7 can be acquired and developed by rehabilitated drug dependents to further enhance 8 their ability to find gainful employment and entrepreneurial livelihood opportunities. The DOLE shall provide incentives to companies which shall employ rehabilitated drug dependents who have undergone the TVET and livelihood programs mandated under this Act.
Sec. 2. Appropriations. - The Director General of TESDA shall immediately
13 include in TESDA's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 14 shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
2 the effectivity of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, formulate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
5 unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise 6 affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 5.
Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,