Revised Children Welfare Act- Protection of Minors from Dangerous Substance

STRENGTHENING THE ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC OR
INTOXICATING LIQOUR OR BEVERAGE TO MINOR NATIONWIDE

The children are always the hope of the nation. They are the backbone of the community and
the future of society relies on them. This is what the Philippine government strongly believes
that is why they are doing their very best in order to protect the welfare of the children.

Despite the effort of the national government, local government units, and different barangays
against the selling of cigars, cigarretes, and alcoholic or intoxicating drinks to minors, there are
still numerous small stores and even big business establishments that are allowing children to
purchase such things. This had been a very big moral issue since they are already not afraid of
buying and even in using cigarretes and drinking liqours publicly. Allowing children to purchase
those things is actually allowing them to destroy their own future. This had become a step for
them that even at a very young age they will get involve to different forms of social violence and
even to illegal acts such as selling and using illegal drugs, murders, and among others.

The problem is that there is poor implementation and the penalty accompanied with the
violation of the said act is not that heavy to which business owners will become threatened.
Since the barangay is the smaller unit that could most possibly monitor its members, therefore
it is the duty of the barangay officials to enact the said law strictly. However, it should be made
nationwide so that the law will become heavier and it will be uniformly implemented. The
revisions be must be made nationwide to strengthening the law protecting the children from
the bad effects of drinking liquors and using cigarettes: a.) All business entities big or small are
not allowed to sell any of the following to minors even with the consent of their parents or
elders: alcoholic drinks, cigars, cigarettes, and among others. b.) It is the duty of the barangay
officials to clearly disseminate the information in their area of responsibility. They should do all
the means in order to spread the information to their constituents such as distribution of
brochures, leaflets, and etc, and Purok Patrolling with their attached number for reporting
purposes. They are also obliged to post banners informing the people about the bad effects of
these vices products. Every citizen should be encouraged to help in the implementation and a
reward or recognition shall be given to him/her. b.) There should be a barangay official assigned
to monitor every purok ensuring that those business entities operating in the said area will not
violate the law. The official who will fail to comply with his duty shall face an administrative
case. c.) Any business entity that would violate the said act will suffer a P10,000 penalty for
small sari-sari stores, and a fine of P20,000 for bigger convenience stores and a possible
imprisonement for about 5-7 days. Those bigger entities who will violate are not excuse such as
malls for they will also suffer a penalty amounting to P50,000. All of those violators will also
received a notice of their violation and will also incur corresponding penalties when they are
going to renew their business permits and licences. Those business entities who allow minors to
drink liqour and/ or use cigarrettes in their stores or area shall also suffer another penalty
amounting to P5,000 for small stores and P10,000 for bigger ones. d.) Local government units
must also do its part in supporting every barangay in its implementation through conducting
various seminars to all business owners both big and small to widen the dissemination of the
information. e.) This act should be strengthen by the house of representatives by uniformly
implementing this nationwide.

Business owners should be responsible enough in following this order because it is their duty as
well to protect the youth from the threat of these vices products. They must not only think
about the profits that they may generate, instead, they should all be encouraged and be well-
informed that their cooperation in the implementation of the said act will greatly contribute to
the success of the society while preserving and protecting the future of the children.