Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 8815

Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The fundamental law of the land places a high priority on health and ordains the
following: The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.’ The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and
other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. [x x x]? The State shall
establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake
appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country's health
needs and problems.®

The DOH tells us that, “The leading causes of death are diseases of the heart, diseases
of the vascular system, pneumonias, malignant neoplasms/cancers, all forms of tuberculosis,
accidents, [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] and allied conditions, diabetes
‘mellitus, nephritis/nephritic syndrome and other diseases of respiratory system. Among these
diseases, six are non-communicable and four are the major [non-communicable diseases
(NCDs)] such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, COPD and diabetes mellitus."*

The Philippine Statistics Authority's ("PSA") data’ conceming the causes of the
579,237 Filipino deaths in 2017 reveal the following numbers for some of the above ailments—
Diseases of the circulatory system: 196,900 (34%); Diseases of the respiratory system: 87,760
(15%); Neoplasms (cancers): 64,125 (11%); and Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic
diseases (including Diabetes Mellitus): 41,642 (7%).

In 2002, the World Health Organization ("WHO") and the Food and Agriculture
Organization ("FAO") met in Geneva to “examine the science base of the relationship between

" Const. art. Il, § 15.

? Const. art. Xill, § 11

3 Const. art. Xill, § 12.

4 Id. at WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES?, available at
https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1058.

S available at
https://psa.gov.phisites/default/files/attachments/crd/article/2017%20Death%20Statistical%20Tables.x
Ix. Select Table 5,


diet and physical activity pattems, and the major nuttition-related chronic diseases.”* They
discuss:

Recommendations were made to help prevent death and disability from major
nutrition-related chronic diseases. These population nutrient intake and physical
activity goals should contribute in the development of regional strategies and
national guidelines to reduce the burden of disease related to obesity, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, osteoporosis and dental
disease. They are based on the examination and analysis of the best available
evidence and the collective judgement of a group of experts representing the
global scope of WHO's and FAO's mandate.” (emphasis supplied)

The WHO explains further, “Healthy diets and physical activity are key to good nutrition
and necessary for a long and healthy life. Eating nutrient dense foods and balancing energy
intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight is essential at all stages
of life.”* It likewise recommends that people stay away from high-calorie foods (with high
amounts of sugar, starch, or saturated/trans fats) and salt and suggests eating more fruits,
vegetables, and foods of plant or marine origin. Thus, given the PSA data, we can compute
that a staggering two-thirds of Filipino deaths can be attributed to diseases that are linked to
poor diet and nutrition?

Death is ikewise not the only concer. Lack of physical exercise, bad eating choices,
and these diseases also cause inflammation, pain, difficulty in movement and cognition, and
a poor state of overall well-being.

For instance, these ailments can exacerbate other illnesses such as the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19)—the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States are
attributable to four preexisting cardiometabolic conditions, a new study suggests.° The
authors estimate that among the 906,849 total COVID-19 hospitalizations that had occurred
among US adults as of November 2020, 30% were attributable to obesity; 26% to
hypertension; 21% to diabetes; and 12% to heart failure."' The cited article discusses:

From the data, the investigators estimate that almost two thirds (63.5%) of the
hospitalizations were attributable to these cardiometabolic conditions and that those

® World Health Organization, Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health; Diet, nutrition and
the prevention of chronic diseases, Report of the joint WHO/FAO expert consultation (WHO Technical

Report Series, No. 916), available at
https:/;www_who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/summary/en/.

‘Id.

81d.

® See also World Health Organization, Noncommunicable diseases, available at.
hhttps://www.who.inthealth-topics/noncommunicable-diseases#tab=tab_1. The WHO tells us that
“Noncommunicable diseases [x x x], including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung
disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide.”.

%© Sue Hughes, Most Severe COVID Tied to Four Cardiometabolic Conditions,
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/946488 citing Meghan O'Heam et al., Coronavirus Disease
2019 Hospitalizations Attributable to Cardiometabolic Conditions in the United States: A Comparative
Risk Assessment Analysis, available at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.019259,
ae


hospitalizations would have been preventable had those conditions not been
present.

They estimate that a 10% reduction in these four cardiometabolic conditions would
potentially have prevented 11.1% of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

The authors believe more should be done to promote healthy lifestyle
measures to improve overall cardiometabolic health and potentially minimize
the risk for severe COVID-19. (emphasis supplied)

There is a solid consensus among the scientific community. “Medical experts have long
recognized the effects of diet on the risk of [cardiovascular disease], but the relationship
between diet and many other conditions, including specific cancers, diabetes, cataracts,
macular degeneration, cholelithiasis, renal stones, dental disease, and birth defects, have
been documented more recently. The following list discusses six aspects of diet for which
strong evidence indicates important health implications [x x x]. These goals are consistent with
a detailed 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) report [x x x]: (citations omitted)

(a) Replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats, including sources of
omega-3 fatty acids.

(b) Ensure generous consumption of fruits and vegetables and adequate folic acid
intake.

(c) Consume cereal products in their whole-grain, high-fiber form.

(d) Limit consumption of sugar and sugar-based beverages.

(€) Limit excessive caloric intake from any source.

(0) Limit sodium intake.” (discussions and citations per item omitted; lettering
supplied; readers are enjoined to visit the website containing the chapter for
more detailed information)

The State's efforts must not stop with just encouraging physical exercise and proper
nutrition and diet. Interventions"® with respect to education, economic policy, the Filipino
community, the environment, and supply-systems, among others, must also be adopted.

This bill adopts an intensified educational and informational campaign—in and out of
school—and prescribes the creation of bicycle lanes and improved walk paths to encourage
physical movement. The bill also creates a Lusog Pinoy Application with a plethora of
information and functionalities. Furthermore, certain food establishments are also proposed to.
be required to disclose the micro- and macronutrient content of their menu items to the
consuming public to aid in decision-making. Special privileges are also granted to senior
citizens, persons with disability, and national athletes and coaches. Continuous research is
also mandated so that our health programs and initiatives remain on the cutting edge. The bill
likewise helps instill health consciousness among members of the civil service and the private
sector.

*2 Walter Willett et al., Prevention of Chronic Disease by Means of Diet and Lifestyle Changes, Disease
Control Priorities in Developing Countries 833 (Dean Jamison et al. editors, 2nd ed.) available at
https://www.nebi.nim.nih. gov/books/NBK11795/ (2006).

13 jd, Readers are once again enjoined to visit the website for its in-depth discussions.


Investing now on health consciousness pays greater dividends in the future. A healthy
citizenry becomes better focused on leaning and becoming tomorrow's leaders. Healthcare
costs and the need for social services also get reduced in the long run.

Proper nutritional habits sustain and affect us for the rest of our lives. “In most cases,
quantifying the effects of the intervention is difficult, because behavioral changes may take
many years and synergies are potentially important but hard to estimate in formal studies.
Substantial nihilism often exists regarding the ability to change populations’ diets or behaviors,
but major changes are possible over extended periods of time." These changes must be
steadfast and should be made today.

The urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. PABLOSOHN F. GARCIA
3rd District, Province of Cebu

“id.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 8815

Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL POLICY ON NUTRITION, DIETETICS,
PHYSICAL WELLNESS, AND HEALTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Congress of the
Philippines in session assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Healthy Living Act of
2021".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State
shall also adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
that shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available
to all the people at affordable cost. The State shall likewise establish and maintain an
effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health manpower
development and research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems. It
is also the policy of the State to instill broad consumer understanding and scientific
knowledge upon its citizens so they may achieve optimal nutrition, physical fitness,
better health and wellness, and overall reduced morbidity and mortality rates. Lastly,
it is the policy of the State to adopt data-driven, scientific, and well-researched
approaches suited for the Philippine context in pursuing these ends.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:

(a) Athletes with disabilities shall refer to persons with disabilities, as
defined as defined herein, who are Filipino citizens, recognized and accredited
by the Philippine Sports Commission (“PSC”) and the National Paralympic


Committee of the Philippines ("NPC PHIL"), and who have represented the
country in international sports competitions;

(b) Covered Food Establishments ("“CFEs’) shall refer to restaurants
and similar retail food establishments, such as but not limited to, quick service
and sit-down franchise or chain restaurants, grocery and convenience stores
that serve restaurant-type food, take-out establishments and delivery chains,
entertainment venues that are part of a chain (e.g. movie theaters, amusement
parks), chain cafeterias, chain coffee shops, bars, bistros, and bakeries, that
are:

() part of a group with five (5) or more locations, whether
operating locally, provincially, regionally, or nationally;

(ii) doing business under the same name;

(ii) offering for sale substantially the same menu or food items
or selections with the same standardized content, portions, or servings;
and

(iv) _ of whatever type of ownership structure or arrangement,
individually or collectively;

(c) National athletes shall refer to athletes including persons with
disabilities who are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool,
recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (“POC”) and
the PSC, including athletes with disabilities who are recognized and accredited
by the NPC PHIL and the PSC and who have represented the country in
international sports competitions;

(d) National coaches shalll refer to coaches of national athletes, who
are Filipino citizens, members of the national coaches training pool, recognized
and accredited by the PSC and the POC, or the PSC and NPC PHIL in the case
of AWD coaches, who have represented the country as official coaches to
national athletes in international sports competitions;

(e) Non-government organizations and individuals shall mean
members of professional organizations such as the Philippine Medical
Association, the accredited integrated professional organizations of nutritionist-
dieticians and physical and occupational therapists, food technologists and
scientists, exercise and sports scientists, behavioral economists, the academe,
concemed entities from the private sector, non-government organizations,
people's organizations, and civic service groups, determined by the National
Nutrition Council in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (“IRR”) through a
manner consistent with the policies and aims of this Act, which shall aid in the
formulation and execution of the National Healthy Living Framework and related


health consciousness, consumer awareness, and scientific knowledge
strategies.

(f) Persons with disability are those who have long-term physical,
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various
barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal
basis with others.

(9) Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at
least sixty (60) years old.

Section 4. National Healthy Living Framework. - The Department of Health
(‘DOH’) along with The National Nutrition Council (“NNC”) and the non-government
organizations and individuals as defined herein, shall establish, formulate and
implement the National Healthy Living Framework for a comprehensive Healthy Living
program within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act. The Framework shall,
among other goals determined in the IRR as shall be consistent with the policies and
provisions of this Act, prescribe Healthy Living goals and related strategies for health
consciousness, broad consumer awareness, and scientific knowledge for the Filipino
nation.

The NNC shall espouse a scientific approach in its decision-making and shall
always keep abreast of contemporary scientific findings, researches, and
developments.

This Framework’s prescribed short-, medium-, and long-term goals shall be
contained in an Action Plan which shall be published or released within six (6) months
after the first meeting and shall reflect the mandates found in the provisions of this Act.
The Action Plan shall be revised from time to time to reflect refinements, changes, and
improvements in any part of the National Healthy Living Framework.

Section 5. Core Principle. - In all endeavors by the NNC or any natural or
juridical person or institution, public or private, concerning the provisions of this Act, it
must be made clear to the Filipino end-user that the information, such as but not limited
to, text, graphics, images, diagrams, video-tutorials, and other material contained on
any website, message, email, advertisement, press release, the Lusog Pinoy
Application described herein, and the like are for informational purposes only. The
purpose of this Act is to promote health consciousness, broad consumer
understanding, and scientific knowledge of various health topics among Filipinos. It is
not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The Filipino end-user must always be encouraged to seek the advice of a physician or
other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions they may have about a
medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen,
nutritional and dietetic strategy, physical exercise plan, or any other lifestyle change


encouraged by virtue of the provisions of this Act. They must be told to never disregard
professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of what they may have read
because of the programs and initiatives of this Act.

Section 6. Lead Agency. - The DOH shall be the primary government agency
responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act, the advancement of
the declared policies in Section 2, and the National Healthy Living Framework. It shall
ensure that the mandates provided in this Act are fulfilled by adopting the necessary
initiatives, programs, and projects and that interagency cooperation and the proper
public and private linkages are observed in the accomplishment of the purposes
prescribed herein.

Section 7. Intensified and Continuing Educational Campaign on Healthy
Living. - A continuing information and education campaign, through all schools and
mass media such as the internet, newsprint, radio, television, and the like, concerning
healthy living practices, methods, strategies, and attitudes shall be promoted by
Department of Education (“DepEd”) and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development in cooperation with agencies such as the Philippine Information Agency
and the Philippine News Agency. Such a campaign shall encourage the multi-sectoral
participation of non-government organizations and individuals as defined herein.

The DepEd shall ensure that all school curricula from Grades 1 to 12, with due
regard to academic freedom, include up-to-date and age-appropriate information
conceming proper nutrition, dietetics, physical fitness, and other health and wellness
topics.

The Commission on Higher Education may, consistent with academic freedom,
prescribe guidelines which tertiary public and private educational institutions may
adopt in their curricula for the purpose of teaching students about proper nutrition,
dietetics, physical fitness, and other health and wellness topics.

Section 8. Bicycle Lanes and Improved Walk Paths. - To encourage more
physical activity through the use of bicycles and increased walking, there shall be
established bicycle lanes in all primary and secondary roads in all cities and
municipalities of the Philippines as well as improved pedestrian walk paths and
sidewalks. Motorized vehicles shall not be allowed to park or traverse along
designated bicycle or walk paths but may cross them momentarily to change lanes or
streets, to park adjacent to a bicycle lane, or such other exception as may be
prescribed in the IRR.

Bicycle lanes shall, as much as possible, be physically separated via barriers
from lanes designated for motorized vehicles but shall not compromise pedestrian
walkways or sidewalks. In any case, bicycle lanes shall be clearly and conspicuously
marked.


As far as practicable, bicycle lanes shall be made to connect and traverse all
local government units as well as airports and piers.

In order to foster a conducive and safe bicycling and walking society, the
following support infrastructure and facilities shall be established, among other goals
as may be determined in the National Healthy Living Framework and Action Plan:

(a) Bicycle parking facilities and lots in public places, government offices,
educational, commercial, and financial establishments, and hospitals and
transportation terminals and the like;

(b) Welt sidewalks and pathways;

(c) Sidewalk improvements with more trees and shrubbery;

(d) _ Traffic-calming measures, speed reduction bumps, and other similar
installations;

(e) Pedestrian islands;
() Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements;
(a) Clearly marked crosswalks;
(h) Waming signs to_— alert’ = motorists. © of '_bicycles;
() Off-street pedestrian and ~— bicycle — facilities; and

() Traffic diversion improvements.

A Task Force to ensure the proper fulfillment of the goals of this Section is
hereby constituted and shall assist in formulating the appropriate recommendations to
be adopted and reflected in the National Healthy Living Framework and Action Plan
as defined in Section 4 and the IRR. The Task Force shall be composed of:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation;

(b) A representative from the Department of the Interior and Local
Government;

(c) A representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways;

(d) A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources;

(e) A representative from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority;

(f) A representative from the University of the Philippines School of Urban
and Regional Planning; and

(g) Three (3) representatives from private non-government organizations,
advocacy groups, or civil societies concerned with bicycling and/or walking.

Section 9. Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items - The NNC shall produce a
Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items ("Schedule") to encourage Filipino citizens and
families to consume nutritious food and undertake diet plans which are scientifically
correlated if not proven to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates if
consistently and properly adopted as part of a healthy lifestyle. Such Schedule shall
be thoroughly vetted by scientists and professionals from the non-government
organizations and individuals as defined herein and shall inform Filipinos of healthier


alternatives to the usual fare they consume. The Schedule shall, among other goals
as may be determined by the NNC in the IRR in accordance with this Act, list food
items that encourage the consumption:

(a) of healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats
to replace saturated and trans fats;

(b) of fruits and vegetables, which are nutritionally-dense and contain
micronutrients such as_— potassium = and folic._~— acid; and

(c) __ofcereals, grains, rice varieties, and other sources that are whole-
grain and/or high in fiber and not high in refined starches.

In coming up with the Schedule, the NNC shall include the following as
objectives in its selection:

(2) _ the limited consumption if not total avoidance of added sugar and

sugar-based beverages and food;
(b) the avoidance of the excessive consumption of calories from any

source; and
(c) __ the limited consumption of sodium.

The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department of
Agriculture, and the National Economic Development Authority shall establish and
enforce a system of reasonable incentives and subsidies that promote the cultivation,
production, generation, distribution, marketing, and/or sale of products and food items
found in the Schedule.

The government shall endeavor to make the food items in the Schedule
affordable and available to all Filipinos.

Section 10. Health Promotion Activities in the Civil Service and Private
Workplaces. - The Civil Service Commission (“CSC”) and the Department of Labor
and Employment ("DOLE") shall endeavor to promote health activities and
interventions among public officers and employees, and those in the private sector,
respectively, such as but not limited to educating them; recommending their screening
for behavioral risk factors which contribute to morbidity; designing incentive programs
to walk, ride a bicycle, or take public transportation to work, which workplaces may
adopt; issuing guidelines concerning physical weliness programs, disciplines, or
exercises during breaks or after work; the endorsement of workplace environment
improvements to promote activity; and suggesting the adoption of the Schedule of
Lusog Pinoy Food Items in cafeterias. The CSC and the DOLE shall explore the use
of regular memoranda to inform public officers and employees and those in the private
sector of NNC-approved health, nutrition, and physical wellness information.


Section 11. Mandatory Display of Nutritional Information on Menus,
Signages, Menu Boards, and Online Displays of Covered Food Establishments.
- CFEs, as defined herein, shall disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, on their
menus, signages, menu boards, online displays and the like, the carbohydrate, fat,
protein, and calorie content of their standard food items and selections. Such
information shall be displayed adjacent to these items so as to be clearly associated
with them. In the case of display tags, the above information shalll be stated thereon.

For CFEs that adopt self-service models, as in the case of food sold at a buffet
line, salad bar, cafeteria line, or other similar arrangements and facilities, and for self-
service beverages or food that are on display and visible to customers, they shall place
adjacent to each food item or beverage offered a sign that lists their respective
carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie content per serving. CFEs shall endeavor to
describe to customers the amount of food or drink contained in a particular serving in
a practical and intelligible manner (e.g. “W carbs, X fat, Y, protein, and Z cals.” per

“scoop”, “bow!", “bagel”, or “small cup filled to the red line” etc.).

For food items and selections that come in different flavors, combinations, or
varieties that are listed as a single item, carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie
disclosures, where there are only two options available, must be presented with a
slash between the two disclosures (e.g., “Sg/7g of protein” or "180/350 cals.") or as a
range (e.g., “15g~25g of carbs") if there are three or more options. Accordingly, if there
is only one possible total despite the available options, then this total shall be
disclosed.

The disclosure of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie content next to a
standard menu item that is intended to serve more than one individual, shall include
the number of individuals intended to be served by such food item or selection and the
corresponding nutritional content per individual serving.

CFEs shall likewise disclose information, in a clear and conspicuous manner,
on a brochure or similar display, whether physical or digital, the latter accessible via
an application, website link, quick response (QR) code or such other manner as the
NNC may prescribe, made available at the point of sale prior to or during the placement
of an order to aid in decision-making, the other nutritional information of their standard
food items or selections such as their salt, cholesterol, fiber, and sugar content, fat
breakdown (saturated and trans fats), and component vitamins and minerals and their
amounts.

In order to contextualize and allow Filipinos to understand better the
significance of the information disclosures as required by this Section, CFEs shall
place, at the bottom of their menus, signs, menu boards, and online displays in a
readable text size, the amount of daily calories needed to sustain a healthy Filipino
adult, as prescribed by the NNC. Menus, signages, menu boards, and online displays


intended for children shall disclose their corresponding calorie targets. CFEs shall also
include a disclaimer that calorie targets vary from person to person.

CFEs shall be given twelve (12) months from the promulgation of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations, to replace and/or update their existing menus,
signages, menu boards, and online displays to reflect the provisions of this Section.
The NNC shall, in the Implementing Rules and Regulations, prescribe the manner as
to how CFEs may have their food items and selections reasonably or scientifically
measured and evaluated for the disclosure requirements prescribed herein. CFEs
shall be required, in regular intervals as shall be determined by the NNC, to have their
disclosures certified as true and correct before display. The introduction of a new
standardized food item or selection to the menus, signages, menu boards, and online
displays of a CFE shall require prior approval from the NNC pursuant to the disclosure
requirements of this Section.

Third-party intermediary food delivery services, which interact with customers
via mobile applications, online websites, and the like, are hereby required to
accordingly modify their interfaces to properly reflect the disclosure requirements
provided for by this Section for their CFE partners.

In any case, the NNC may prescribe additional pieces of information which
CFEs must disclose and in what manner, consistent with the provisions of this Act.

This Section’s disclosure requirements shalll not apply to:

(a) Custom Orders or any food order that is prepared in a specific
manner based on an individual customer's request, which requires a substantial
deviation from the usual preparation of a standard food item or selection;

(b) Daily Specials and the like;

(c) Temporary Food Items or Selections that appear on a menu,
signage, menu board, or online display for less than a total of thirty (30)

calendar days per year;
(4) General-Purpose Condiments (e.g., liquid seasoning or hot sauce
bottles, flasks of syrup on the table);

(e) _ Foods part of a Customary Market Test, which are displayed only
for a short period as shall be determined by the NNC; and

() Any other analogous exemption as may be prescribed by the
NNC consistent with the provisions of this Act.

Section 12, Lusog Pinoy Application. - The Lusog Pinoy Application is
hereby created and shall be a comprehensive portal designed to provide mobile,
tablet, laptop, desktop, and other users with basic things such as:


(a) A calculator suited for the anatomy and physiology of a typical
Filipino, as shall be determined by the NNC. This calculator shall have various
functionalities such as:

() A Calorie Calculator which shall compute, based on given
inputs such as height, weight, sex, age, and weekly physical activity
levels, the recommended calorie intake of the user to achieve certain
goals such as weight maintenance, a healthy pace of light or moderate
weight loss, or a healthy pace of light or moderate weight gain;

(i) A Body Mass Index calculator to categorize, given inputs
like height and weight, if the user is underweight, normal weight,
overweight, or obese;

(ii) A Body Fat Calculator to compute, given inputs such as
height, weight, and other body measurements, the user's body fat
percentage;

(iv) An Ideal Weight Calculator to recommend, given inputs
such as weight, sex, and age, to the user the ideal weight he or she must
attain in accordance with the formula which shall be adopted by the NNC;

(v) A food and meal plan budgeting calculator and analysis
tool which, after being given inputs such as family size, family-member
ages, health goals, and dailyweekly/monthly financial budgets, comes
out with a recommended meal plan that is economical and nutritious; and

(vi) Any other tool, calculator, index, formula, or functionality
which the NNC shall prescribe, consistent with the provisions of this Act
and the declaration of policies.

The calculator shall accordingly link or display information, given
any result, which shall help the user achieve his or her particular health
goals. The information linked may redirect users to external sources
such as NNC-approved websites or display other portions of the
Application such as those found below; and/or other such resources the
NNC shall prescribe, consistent with the provisions of this Act and the
declaration of policies;

(b) A comprehensive calorie-counter database of common Filipino
food and generic snacks items regularly found in markets and other places of
‘sale which shall contain nutritional information about them such as the amount
‘of sodium and sugar they contain, their calories, and their micronutrient and
macronutrient content, to aid in decision-making;

(c) | The Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items, as mandated in Section
9, which shall contain nutritional information about them such as the amount of
sodium and sugar they contain, their micronutrient and macronutrient content,
calories, the benefits of their consumption, availability, suggested retail prices,
and sample dishes and recipes;


(4) User-appropriate and goal-oriented healthy sample meal plans
and recipes, which shall incorporate, as much as possible, foods from the
Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items;

(e) Asleep, meditation, and relaxation aid which shall feature music
and calming sounds from Philippine environments, artists, and cultures and
shall have the corresponding timers and alarms;

(f) —_User-appropriate and goal-oriented healthy daily or weekly
exercise plans, which may be done at home or at workout gymnasiums, and
shall provide choices, via diagrams or video-tutorials, such as stretching,
calisthenics, weight training, low- or moderate-intensity steady state
cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval training, and such
other exercises which may be recommended by NNC;

(9) A running companion application which may prescribe user-
appropriate and goal-oriented programs or simply act as a tracker that
measures the distance, time, frequency, pace, speed, and other metrics, as
may be determined in the IRR, of the user's running session. This companion
may likewise be integrated with music and heart-rate support and estimate the
user's burned calories;

(h) Various educational resources such articles, images, diagrams,
and other such information which shall educate the user as to how he or she
may achieve optimal welIness through proper diet, exercise, sleep, and any
other lifestyle change. For this purpose, the user may enlist in regular
newsletters which may be sent to his or her email or mobile phone; and

() Any other feature which the NNC shall prescribe, consistent with
the purposes of this Act and the declaration of policies.

The Department of Information and Communication Technology
(‘DICT’) shall be the lead agency tasked with the design, development,
implementation, distribution, maintenance, and improvement of the Lusog
Pinoy Application with due supervision and control from the NNC. In the interest
of minimizing the impact on the storage capacities of users’ devices, the NNC,
in consultation with the DICT, shall determine which features and pieces of
information shall be part of the core application and those which shall be hosted
externally and will be accordingly accessed only when desired by the user. The
features and information made part of the Application shall be of an important
nature and shall be made available to the user even when offline.

The DICT shall ensure that the Application shall demonstrate the
following characteristics:

(a) Open data and content;
(b) Excellent user interface, user experience, and intelligibility;
(c)__ Ease of internal and external data exchange;

(d) User safety and privacy;


(e) _ Economical use of budget and resources;
(Multilingual Functionality;

(9) Correctness;

(h) Dependability;

() Efficiency;

() Adaptability;

(kK) Wide-compatibility;

() Appealing Aesthetics; and

(m) Any other standard or quality as may be determined by the NNC
in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

Section 13. Special Privileges. - Without prejudice to the exclusive application
of other benefits or privileges as may be found in other laws, rules or regulations, any
senior citizen, person with disability, or national athlete or coach, as defined herein
shall be entitled to the grant of a ten percent (10%) discount and Value Added Tax
(VAT)-exemption on the purchase of food found in the Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food
Items, as defined herein, in any state, whether natural, raw, pre-packaged, cooked
and served or otherwise, from all persons and establishments for their exclusive use,
enjoyment or availment.

Persons with disability shall also be entitled to the grant of a twenty percent
(20%) discount and exemption from VAT, if applicable, on the acquisition of workout
or rehabilitation gymnasium memberships, the use of their facilities, access to fitness
clubs, and other similar arrangements.

All establishments shall place signages in conspicuous areas within their
premises to inform senior citizens, persons with disability, or national athletes or
coaches that they are entitled to the discounts and VAT tax-exemption mentioned in
this section.

The Department of Finance through the Bureau of Internal Revenue shall issue
the corresponding Revenue Regulations and/or Revenue Memorandum Circulars
related to the grant of the discounts and VAT-exemption within thirty (30) days from
the effectivity of this Act.

Section 14. Continuous Research and Development. - The Department of
Science and Technology, in cooperation with public and private research institutions,
shall continuously apprise the various government departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities and the non-government organizations and individuals mentioned in
this Act of novel studies, developments, and researches, here and abroad, regarding
nutrition and dietetics, physical fitness, health and wellness, and such other topics
which may be related to the purposes of this Act.


Studies in the Philippine context and monitoring efforts to determine and
improve the effects of the measures prescribed by this Act are hereby mandated, such
as but not limited to:

(2) _ the conduct of randomized trials of the use of folic acid and alpha-
linoleic acid to prevent cardiovascular disease;

(b) the development of prospective cohort studies of dietary and
lifestyle factors to refine the understanding of risk factors;

(c) _ the development of surveillance systems for chronic diseases and
for major risk factors, such as obesity;

(d) the development of additional multifaceted, community-based
demonstration programs to document the feasibility of lifestyle changes and to
learn more about effective strategies; and

(e) _ the conduct of detailed cost-effectiveness analyses of various
prevention strategies to modify dietary and lifestyle factors

Section 15. Penalties. -

(a) Motorists who shall traverse or park on the designated bike and
walk paths as provided for in Section 8 shall be meted with the following
penalties:

) Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) fine for the first
offense;

(ii) Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) fine with
suspension of Driver's License for three (3) months for the second offense; and

(ii) Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00) and revocation
of Driver's License for the third and succeeding offenses.

(b)  CFEs and third-party intermediary delivery services which shall
not abide by the requirements of Section 11 of this Act shall be meted with the
following penalties:

(i) Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) fine for the first
offense with suspension of operations until rectified;

(ii), | Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) fine with
suspension of operations until rectified; and

(iii) Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) and
closure of business with revocation of business permit and other such privileges
granted by the government.

For purposes of Section 15(b), the IRR shall prescribe a reasonable
period within which CFEs and third-party intermediary delivery services may
rectify any deficiency with respect to any of the mandates in Section 11. The


NNC, in the IRR, shall likewise prescribe the additional privileges and grants
which may be revoked due to a third violation.

(c) Any person, establishment, organization, or institution which shall
not honor the special privileges granted in Section 13 shall be, for the first
violation, fined not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not
exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) or imprisonment
of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both at the
discretion of the court; and for any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than
One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) but not exceeding Two
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) or imprisonment for less than two
(2) years but not more than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court.

(d) Any person who shall falsely assume the identity of any of the
class of persons granted special privileges in Section 13 for purposes of
obtaining the same shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6)
months or a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) but not
more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of
the court.

Section 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the
government agencies mentioned herein. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Section 17. Report to Congress. - The DOH shall report to Congress, not later
than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, the progress of efforts
to promote health consciousness and the other goals prescribed by this Act and make
the necessary recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative action.

Section 18. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby
created a joint congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation of
this Act. The committee shall be composed of five (5) senators and five (5)
representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, respectively. The oversight committee shall be co-chaired by a
senator and a representative designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, respectively. The mandate given to the joint
congressional oversight committee under this Act shall be without prejudice to the
performance of the duties and functions by the respective existing oversight
committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives.


Section 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NNC shall convene
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act and shall promulgate the
necessary implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months thereafter.

Section 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, proclamations,
rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 21. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected shall
continue to remain in full force and effect.

Section 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,