Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, AND 
EDUCATION AMONG SECONDARY AND TERTIARY STUDENTS, THEIR 
PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In recent years, there has been an increase in rates of body satisfaction among the youth 
globally. In Asia, there has been a growing prevalence of eating disorders among the 
youth. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and others, have 
detrimental health consequences such as obesity, heart disease, gall bladder disease, 
and diabetes, heart failure, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and death. Anorexia nervosa has 
the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders—making a young woman 12 times 
more likely to die than other women her age without anorexia.  
Considering these detrimental health consequences, it is the responsibility of the State to 
adopt measures for the identification and prevention of eating disorders, especially 
among the youth. As eating disorders typically begin during adolescence, this measure 
seeks to (1) provide increase public awareness of eating disorders; and (2) capacitate 
and provide parents, guardians, and educators the means and flexibility to improve 
awareness of, identify and help students with eating disorders. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 1, 2022
9:40 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, AND 
EDUCATION AMONG SECONDARY AND TERTIARY STUDENTS, THEIR 
PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Eating Disorders Awareness, 
Prevention, and Education Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Under this, 
the State must adopt measures to address the prevalence of eating disorders among the 
youth. Towards this end, this measure seeks to (1) provide increase public awareness of 
eating disorders; and (2) capacitate and provide parents, guardians, and educators the 
means and flexibility to improve awareness of, identify and help students with eating 
disorders.  
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a) “Eating disorder” means a disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme and
unhealthy reduction of food intake (anorexia nervosa) or severe overeating
(bulimia nervosa and/or binge eating disorder), as well as feelings of distress or
extreme concern about body shape or weight.
b) “Anorexia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and
excessive weight loss.
c) “Bulimia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by excessive food
consumption followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as self-
induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise.
d) “Binge eating disorder” means frequent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.
e) “Schools” mean the elementary, secondary, and college educational institutions.
f)
“DepEd” means the Department of Education.
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g) “CHED” means the Commission on Higher Education. 
h) “DOH” is the Department of Health. 
i) “Congress” means both the Senate and House of Representatives. 
 
SECTION 3. Identification of, Training on, and Educational Awareness of Eating 
Disorders. – The DepEd, CHED, and DOH shall provide programs to: 
a) Improve the identification of students with eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, 
bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders not otherwise 
specified, so that they may receive appropriate medical treatment; 
b) Increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and 
c) Train educators such as teachers, school nurses, school social workers, coaches, 
school counselors, and administrators on effective eating disorder prevention and 
assistance methods. 
 
SECTION 4. Implementation of Public Education Campaign. – The Secretary of 
DepEd and the Chairman of CHED, in consultation with the Secretary of DOH, shall carry 
out a program to develop, distribute, and promote the broadcasting of public service 
announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and 
prevention, of eating disorders.  
 
SECTION 5. Eating Disorders Research and Report. – Not later than eighteen months 
after the enactment of this Act, the DepEd, the CHED, and the DOH shall conduct a study 
on the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement. The 
study shall –  
 
a) Determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and the morbidity 
and mortality rates associated with eating disorders; 
b) Evaluate the extent to which students with eating disorders are more likely to miss 
school, have delayed rates of development, or have reduced cognitive skills; 
c) Report on current national and local programs to educate youth about the dangers 
of eating disorders, as well as evaluate the value of such programs; and 
d) Make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken to strengthen 
eating disorder prevention and awareness programs. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.  
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.   
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,