Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.

3682

Introduced by Honorable MARIE ANNE S. PERNES:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people
and to recognize the role of the youth in nation-building,

Soft drink consumption has become a highly visible and controversial public health
and public policy issue. Several researches show that soft drinks contain sugar, artificial
Sweeteners, caffeine, phosphorus, and carbon acids which have harmful effects on the body.

Drinking too many beverages containing added sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit
drinks, energy or sports beverages is associated with health problems such as:

1) Obesity ~ The World Health Organization recognized that consumption of soft
drinks contributes to the growing incidence of obesity. According to Dr. Tim Gil,
the Regional Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Intemational 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. The national nutrition survey
Conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed a steady
increase in obesity cases from 5.7 % in 1989 to 8 %in 1993.

2) Diabetes- Studies have found an association between a person's soda habit and
the rising rate of type 2 diabetes. Experts generally agree that the consumption of
these beverages, which has steadily increased, has contributed to the Filipinos’
growing problem with the excess weight and weight-related health problems.
Research has shown that adults and children who regularly drink beverages high
in added sugars tend to have higher calorie intakes and experience greater
weight gain. And, as weight gain increases, so does the risk of developing type 2
diabetes,



3) Heart Disease- According to the journal Circulation, just one sugary drink a day
increases risk of heart attack by 20%, Study author Lawrence de Koning says
that the sugar-sweetened beverages and coronary heart disease is probably due
to the large amount of easily digested sugar in these sugary drinks.

4) Dental Caries or Tooth Decay — Scientific studies conclude that soft drinks are
responsible for doubling or tripling the incidence of tooth decay. A study
involving children aged 6-12 years old in La Trinidad, Benguet shows the
prevalence of dental carries and high consumption of sugar, Soft drinks are one
of the most common sources of dietary sugar. The 2006 National Oral Health
Survey (NOHS) revealed that 97.1% of six-year-old children suffer from tooth
decay. More than four out of every five children of this sub-group manifested
symptoms of dentinogenic infection. About 78.4% of twelve-year-old children
suffer from dental caries and 49.7% of the same age group manifested symptoms
of dentinogenic infections.

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.

Beare hao


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

3682

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable MARIE ANNE S. PERNES:

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 2013",

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- Article II, Section 15 of the 19887 Constitution provides
that it tis the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant to said provision, it is hereby declared
the policy of the State to actively promote the health of children and to take necessary steps
to prevent serious health risks that can be brought on by the consumption of soft drinks,
Towards this end, the State will ensure that children are provided with healthy choices when
purchasing beverages in schools. Towards this end, the State shall regulate the sale of
beverages in schools,


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — The following definitions will apply for purposes of this
Act:

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

SECTION 4. Coverage ~ This Act shall apply to all schools in the Philippines as defined in
this act,

SECTION 5. — Prohibitions
‘A) The following beverages shall not be provided or sold at schools:
1) Soft drinks, sports drinks, punches, and iced teas;

2) Fruit-based drinks that contain less than 50 percent real fruit juice or that
contain additional sweeteners;

3) Drinks containing caffeine, excluding low-fat or fat-free chocolate milk.
B) The following beverages shall be sold at schools:

1) Fruit-based drinks that contain at least 50 percent of fruit juice and that do
not contain additional sweeteners;

2) Water and seltzer;

3) Low-fat or fat-free milk, including , but not limited to , chocolate milk, soy
milk, rice milk, and other similar dairy or non-dairy calcium-fortified milk,

SECTION 6. Implementation - The Department of Education shall implement this law and
shall conduct periodic reviews of compliance by schools.

SECTION 7. Penalties - Schools and restaurants found violating this law shall be fined one
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for every violation.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly

SECTION 9. Separability Clause - If for any reason or reasons, any portion or provision of
this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, all other parts or provisions not affected
shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved

Boane fou f=