MANILA, Philippines – Pasig City is the next local government to take a bold step in the fight against childhood obesity and diet-related diseases.
The city council recently passed the Healthy Food Environment Ordinance, which bans the advertising of “unhealthy” food and beverages — those high in fats, sodium, and sugar — in schools and other child-centered spaces. This landmark ordinance aims to protect Pasigueño children from aggressive and harmful junk food advertising and encourage healthier eating habits.
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Why is this important?
Did you know that one in five school-aged children in Pasig is overweight or obese? This worrisome statistic, reported by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), amplifies the impact of poor nutrition and unhealthy food choices on young Filipinos.
However, the situation is not unique to Pasig. Across the country, children (and their parents as well) are constantly tempted by print and television advertisements for snacks loaded with sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. According to a UNICEF study, 85% of food ads within 500 meters of 30 primary schools in Manila promote unhealthy food.
Under the new ordinance, these advertisements will no longer be allowed in and around public and private preparatory, elementary, and secondary schools, playgrounds, amusement parks, and other child-centered spaces. This complements an existing policy that bans the sale of unhealthy food inside schools.
The new ordinance will also ban company sponsorships that sell unhealthy food — this means no more junk food brands funding school events or activities.
“Ang bawat Pasigueño ay mahihikayat na pumili ng masustansyang alternatibo na makakatulong sa pagpapatibay ng kalusugan at pag-sustain ng malusog na kapaligiran,” Councilor Roderick Mario “Eric” Gonzales, who authored the ordinance, said. He is also chairperson of the Pasig Committee on Health Sanitation and Nutrition.
(“Every Pasigueño will be encouraged to choose healthier alternatives that will help strengthen their health and sustain a healthy environment.”)
Growing nationwide push for better health
Hopefully, more cities continue to learn from another. In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte recently implemented the Calorie Labeling Ordinance, requiring restaurants to display calorie counts on menu items. This initiative — the first of its kind in Southeast Asia — aims to help consumers make more informed food choices.
Taytay, Rizal has also banned the advertising of unhealthy food near schools and outside campuses.
Pasig’s ordinance aligns with the recently proposed Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill, authored by Samar Representative Reynolds Michael Tan and other health advocates.
It aims to mandate front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on all pre-packaged food products in supermarkets that are high in fats, sugar, and sodium. Similar to cigarette warning labels, these would help consumers quickly identify unhealthy options at a glance and regulate child-directed food marketing for healthier habits.
“Ensuring a school environment that supports healthy behaviors is key to long-term health,” said lawyer Sophia San Luis, executive director of ImagineLaw, the city government’s partner in healthy food policy advocacy.
“We laud the Pasig City Government for championing this health initiative and hope that its leadership inspires more cities to enact measures that prioritize children’s health through similar policies,” San Luis added. – Rappler.com