Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap filed a joint measure that would impose stricter regulations penalizing both sellers of alcoholic beverages and “unqualified individuals” who acquire said beverages.
House Bill No. 1753, or the Anti-Underage Drinking Act, seeks to provide penal sanctions against any person or private entity caught in violation of the legislation to contain the availability of alcohol to unqualified individuals.
The bill refers to “unqualified individuals” as persons under 21 years of age, or those 21 years old but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.
Any person obtaining alcohol or alcoholic beverages for unqualified qndividuals shall also be penalized.
The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) shall counsel unqualified individuals who violated any of the provisions of HB 1753 before they are properly handed over to their parent/s or guardian/s.
The unqualified individual, together with their parent/s or guardian/s, shall then be required to attend two consecutive regular sessions of counseling conducted by the BCPC. The case shall be elevated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper disposition if non-compliance ensues.
Any person of legal age who or any establishment that violates any of the provisions of the proposed act shall be punished with a fine of PHP50,000 or imprisonment of not more than three months. Both penalties shall apply in addition to the revocation of the license to operate a business connected with the selling of alcohol or alcoholic beverages for succeeding offenses.
Duterte said that HB 1753 aims to further protect minors from the harmful effects of alcoholic beverages as these create a big impact on individuals, families and society as a whole.
“The youth has a vital role in nation-building and it’s the duty of the state to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being,” Duterte said.
“The state shall undertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse and reduce underage drinking by prohibiting unqualified individuals’ access to alcohol,” he added.
Photo Credit: Philippine News Agency Website