Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 49.02 _

Introduced by AKBAYAN Partylist Representatives
Hon. KAKA J. BAG-AO and Hon. WALDEN F. BELLO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Many academic studies have shown that there is nothing healthy about carbonated soft
drinks or soda. * Soft drinks contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, phosphorus and
carbon acids which have harmful effects on the body. ? Scientific studies show that soda
consumption is associated with increased fracture risk due to reduced bone mass. * Soft
drink intake also increases the incidence of dental caries or tooth decay and obesity
especially among adolescents and young adults.’ Phosphorus, high fructose corn syrup,
caffeine and the carbon acids impair the body's capacity to absorb calcium. Soft drink
consumption of children was link to insufficient calcium in the body, impaired calcification of
growing bones, and increased risk of bone fracture.’ The high levels of caffeine in soft
drinks could “disrupt sleep and lead to anxiety and DNA damage and hyperactivity,
especially among children.’ The World Health Organization recognized that consumption of

" Mahmood M. Saleh A, Al-Alawi F & Ahmed F. (2008). Health effects of soda drinking in adolescent girls in
the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Critical Care, 23(3). 434-440,

2 hatp:/www-helium.comvitems/68270 1 -the-effects-of-soda-on-your-body

2 Wyshak, Grace, Frisch, Rose E., Albright, Tenley E., Albright, Nile L., SehifT tsaac, & Witschi, Jeli, (1989),
‘Nonalcoholic carbonated beverage consumption and bone fractures among women former college athletes.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research, X1). 91-9.

* Nestle. Marion. (2000), Soft drink "pouring rights"™ marketing empty calories. Publich Health Reports 115,
308-319.

* Prentice, Ann, Schoeamakers, Inez. Laskey. M. Ana, Bono, Stephanie de. Ginty, Fiona, & Goldberg, Gail R
(2006). Symposium on nutrition and bealth in children and adolescents’ Session I: Nutrition in growth and
development. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 65(4), 348-360.

in growth and development, Nutrition and bone growth and development. Proc Nutr Soc 2006:65(4):348-60.

* Chua. Philip S.(2009), Liquid eandy.: Unbealthy. Philippine Daily Inquirer, feom

tp: globalnation inquirer neticebudailynews/opinion view/20091012-229660/Liquid-candy-Unhealthy



soft drinks contributes to the growing incidence of obesity.’ Soft drinks also increase the
risk for heart disease.°

Coca cola is the most popular soft drinks in the country. In its 2005 report, it stated that the
Philippines consumed 151 8-ounce servings of Coke beverages per capita annually. This is
way above the global average consumption of Coca-cola soft drink at 77 servings.” The
report that Coca-cola is increasing its investment in the Philippines with an additional P1
billion pesos'® and the plan of the South Korean beverage company Lotte Chilsung of
acquiring a 34.4% stake in Philippine Pepsi bottler Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines (PCPP) for
US $101.9mn'" is evidence of expanding demand for soft drinks in the country.

Although this is great news in terms of investment, this is not good for public health
especially the children. A study involving children aged 6-12 years old in La Trinidad,
Benguet shows the prevalence of dental caries and high consumption of sugar. Soft drinks
are one of the most common sources of dietary sugar (84%).'* The 1998 National
Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey reported the prevalence of dental caries among
children aged 12 years was 91.7%,"?

Dr. Tim Gill, the Regional Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific International Obesity Taskforce of
Australia revealed that in the Philippines, 1% of young children (0-10 years) and 3% of
adolescents (11-17 years) were overweight.

Overweight children are more likely to develop health problems and their complications. The
greater the weight excess—the higher a child's body mass index (BMI)—the greater the risk
of acquiring the so-called metabolic syndrome early in life, which includes type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Obesity, in both children and adults,
is a significant health danger.

The risk factors that characterize this syndrome are elevated triglycerides (blood fats), blood
sugar, and blood pressure, low HDL (High Density Lipoproteins, the good cholesterol), and
abdominal obesity. These precede the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases,

* World Health Organization. (2003), Diet. Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Diseases WHO Technical
Report Series (pp. 148).

"Chua, Philip S. 2009). Liquid can
btpsiglobalnationinquirer.nev’cebudailynews/opinion/view/20091012-2296601L iquid-candy-Unhealthy
* hp: /iwww.suitel 01 comveontenticoce-cola-global-sales-a8625

© bxtpst/ www euters.comvarticle’2010:09/28icoke-philippines-idL’SN2816018120100928

" bueps/wsew.companiesandmarkets.comMarket-Report/philippines-food-and-drink-report-2011-470261.asp
" Yabao, R. N.. Duante, C. A., Velandia. F. V.. Lucas, M., Kassu, A... Nakamori, M., & Yamamoto, S. (2005)
Prevalence of dental caries and sugar consumption among 6-12-)-old Schoolchildren in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Philippines. Eur J Clin Nur, 512), 1429-1438,

* Department of Health. (1998). National Monitoring and Evaluation Denial Survey. Manila, Philippines:
Dental Health Service. Department of Health.

Unhealthy. Philippine Daily Inguirer. from



‘The national nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)
revealed a steady increase in obesity cases from 5.7 percent in 1989 to 8 percent in 1993
and then to 8.8 percent in 1998.

It is the responsibility of the State to protect our children from exposure to harmful
substance. The sale of beverages that pose serious health risks can be curbed under the
State's police power.

Passage of this bill is urgently requested.

LE

HON. WALDEN F, BELLO
[Akbayén Partylist ‘Akbayan Partylist



eVoo ek ene

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __*

Introduced by AKBAYAN Partylist Representatives
Hon. KAKA J. BAG-AO and Hon. WALDEN F. BELLO

AN ACT REGULATING THE AVAILABILITY OF BEVERAGES TO CHILDREN
IN SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Healthy Beverage Options Act of 2011."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Section 13, of Article Il of the 1987 Constitution recognizes
the State policy to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well-being of the youth. Pursuant to this policy, Section 15, of Article II of the 1987
Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to heath of the people and
instill health consciousness among them. Furthermore, Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987
Constitution provides that the State shall prioritize the health needs of the children.
Consistent with the foregoing State policies, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
take necessary steps to prevent serious health risks that can be brought on by the
consumption of soft drinks and ensure that children are provided with healthy choices when
purchasing beverages in schools.

SEC. 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all schools in the Philippines. For purposes of this

act, schools shall include preschools, grade schools, and high schools, whether public or
private.