By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Several lawmakers and health advocates on Wednesday (March 5) urged for the passage into law of House Bill No. 9819, otherwise known as the “Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill” in the 19th Congress.
Samar Rep. Reynolds Michael “Mike” Tan has filed HB No. 9819 in the 19th Congress which will adjourn sine die on June 30, 2025.
Rep. Tan, together with health advocates urged the House Committees on Health and Trade to prioritize the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill through a hearing before the 19th Congress ends.
The proposed legislation was filed to protect Filipinos, especially children, from obesity, and related non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, by creating a healthy food environment where they can make informed dietary choices.
During the press conference, Atty. Mikhail Laurence Millan, project manager of ImagineLaw, thanked Rep. Tan and other lawmakers for authoring and co-authoring Senate Bill No. 2700 and HB No. 9819 and other proposed legislative measures.
Rep. Tan said that the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill, which he principally authored, provides for penalties for three-tier such as for first offense to third offense ranging from P10,000 to P500,000 fine depending on the gravity of the offense to discourage unhealthy food and promote healthy food products.
He added that such penal provisions are still subject to discussion in the Committee and Plenary of the 19th Congress, but considering that the 19th Congress will resume its session on June 2, 2025 and will adjourn sine die on June 30, 2025, he will be refiling the proposed bill in the 20th Congress.
Atty. Millan also thanked the Philippine Heart Association, the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians and other stakeholders for participating in the event.
He said that the food warning label has been proven to be effective to promote awareness about obesity and unhealthy food habits.
“Children’s health is a shared responsibility. The Coalition is committed to creating a healthy food environment that protects the health of Pinoy children,” Atty. Millan said.
Reps. Maria Rachel Arenas and Jaime Fresnedi have also introduced House Bills No. 10886 and 11123, respectively, under the same bill title.
Reps. Steve Solon, Salvador Pleyto, and Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, also joined this effort and co-authored the Bills.
Rep. Tan stressed the urgency of passing the proposed bill into law, coinciding with the culmination of the Philippine Heart Month and World Obesity Day.
“With this bill, we ensure that Filipinos are empowered to protect their families and children from diseases,” Rep. Tan said.
“I urge my fellow lawmakers to support this health measure and secure better health for all Filipinos,” Rep. Tan added.
Tan said that the food labels are very complicated, hence, they should be simplified so that there will be more informed choices.
He added that he is 100% supporting the push for the passage of HB No. 9819, hoping that the Senate will also enact the counterpart bill.
Tan expressed optimism that if not in the 19th Congress, the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill may be enacted into law in the 20th Congress.
In a video message, Muntinlupa City Rep. Jaime Fresnedi also expressed the hope for the passage into law of House Bill No. 11123.
Taytay Coun. John Tobit Cruz said that they are the first municipality in the country to pass an Ordinance regulating the marketing of healthy food products.
Cruz expressed his support for the passage into law of HB No. 9819 authored by Rep. Tan.
Dr. Avenilo Aventura, from Philippine Heart Association, said that heart disease is the no. 1 cause of death in the country today.
Dr. Aventura added that there is no need to wait for the end of the 19th Congress on June 30, 2025 to pass into law HB No. 9819, or the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill.
He noted that diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are preventable.
The World Health Organization said that high intake of unhealthy food significantly increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Dr. Juhani Capeding, from Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, said that the proposed bill would just clarify the benefits of healthy food, adding that they are not banning the “unhealthy food”.
Dr. Capeding expressed the hope to get the support of the stakeholders.
The Responsible Food Marketing Coalition is composed of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Kalusugan ng Mag-ina, World Vision, University of the Philippines (UP), National Institute of Health and UP College of Public Health, and GoodGov Philippines.
The coalition expressed strong support for the proposed legislative measure and called for immediate legislative action for its passage into law.
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