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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section IS provides: 
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OCT -5 F3:13 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instil health consciousness among them. 
Obesity is a growing problem around the world. Even though our country has 
traditionally regarded overweight children as healthy, recent studies have shown that being 
overweight or obese poses serious threats to our health. Approximately 60 percent of obese 
children between five and ten years of age have at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor 
and 25 percent have two or more such risk factors. According to Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention in the US, children who are obese are at greater risk for psychological problems such 
as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Obese children and adolescents are targets of early and 
systematic social discrimination. The psychological stress of social stigmatization can cause low 
self-esteem which, in tum, can hinder academic and social functioning, and persist into 
adulthood. 
This bill provides for means to establish obesity treatment pro grams across the country 
by providing grants to establish obesity treatment training for health practitioners. 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
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SENATa 
S. No. 2556 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING GRANTS TO ESTABLISH OBESITY TREATMENT TRAINING 
FOR HEALTH PRACTITIONERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Eating Disorder Education Grant 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Grant. - There is hereby established under this Act a program, to be 
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administered by the Secretary of Health, which shall award not more than fifteen (15) grants to 
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eligible entities to train primary care physicians and other licensed or certified health 
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professionals on how to identify, properly refer or treat, and prevent obesity or eating disorders, 
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and aid individuals who are overweight, obese, or who suffer from eating disorders. The grants 
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shall be given to a maximum of five (5) eligible entities who shall cover Luzon, a maximum of 
. 
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five (5) eligible entities who shall cover Visayas, and a maximum of five (5) eligible entities who 
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shall cover Mindanao. 
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SECTION 3. Use of Funds - An entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall 
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use the funds made available through such grant to-
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(a) 
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use evidence-based findings or recommendations that pertain to the prevention 
and treatment of obesity, being overweight, and eating disorders to conduct 
educational conferences, including Internet-based courses and teleconferences, 
on-
(1) 
(2) 
how to treat or prevent obesity, being overweight, and eating disorders; 
the link between obesity, being overweight, eating disorders, and related 
serious and chronic medical conditions; 
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(3) 
holistic health, or the connection between emotional and physical health; 
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(4) 
how to discuss varied strategies with patients from at-risk and diverse 
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populations to promote positive behavior change and healthy lifestyles to 
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avoid obesity, being overweight, and eating disorders; 
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(5) 
how to identify overweight, obese, individuals with eating disorders, and 
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those who are at risk for obesity and being overweight or suffer from 
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eating disorders and, therefore, at risk for related serious and chronic 
" 
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medical conditions; and 
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(6) 
how to conduct a comprehensive assessment of individual and familial 
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health risk factors; and 
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(b) 
evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided by such entity in increasing 
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knowledge and changing attitudes and behaviors of trainees. 
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SECTION 4. Best Practices - The Secretary shall ensure that the best practices for such 
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training programs covered by the grants are properly recorded and replicated as applicable to 
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other grantees. 
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SECTION 5. Term - This Act shall have a term of five (5) years. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
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thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
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declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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