Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2404

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to regulate the airing of advertisements of sugar sweetened
beverages in radio, television and cable television between 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
from Mondays to Fridays and between 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during Saturdays and
Sundays.

Children’s frequent consumption of sugar sweetened beverages leads to
several illnesses which are attributable to high sugar level in the blood stream. In
an article dated August 3, 2016, entitled “Blood Sugar Levels and Diabetes,”
published by WebMD Medical Reference and reviewed by Dr. Rob Hicks, it mentioned
that high sugar level slowly erodes the ability of cells in the pancreas to make insulin.
‘The organ overcompensates and insulin levels stay too high. Over time, the pancreas is.
permanently damaged.

In a 2011 fact sheet published by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, it explained the complications of diabetes which
include heart disease and stroke, hypertension, blindness and age problems, kidney
disease, nervous system disease and amputation.

In another research paper published by the National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2006), it reported that the consumption
of sugar sweetened beverages will contribute to weight gain if a person’s calorie
intake exceeds the total number of calories required to maintain current weight.

Balancing the effect of sugar sweetened beverages among children needs the
support of various sectors by encouraging the promotion of good health habits.
Parents are encouraged to closely monitor their children in order to regulate their
consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and urge them to eat healthy meals. On
the part of the government, regulating the airing of advertisements of sugar
sweetened beverages is a right step in lessening the exposure of children to sugary
drinks.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. HO! ‘P. SUANSING, JR.
ja 2rd Distyfet, Sultan Kudarat

o

1 District, Nueva



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2404
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B, Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

AN ACT
REGULATING THE AIRING OF ADVERTISEMENTS OF SUGAR SWEETENED
BEVERAGES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity operating
a radio, television and cable television to air advertisements of sugar sweetened
beverages between 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and between
7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during Saturdays and Sundays.

For purposes of this section, sugar sweetened beverages refer to a drink

to which a caloric sweetener or any type of sugar has been added including soda,

other carbonated soft drink, juice drink, sports drink, energy drink, sweetened
milk or milk alternative, sweetened tea or coffee and the like.

It shall also be unlawful for any person or entity engaged in the sale,
manufacture or distribution of sugar sweetened beverages to engage the services
of radio, television and cable television station for the airing of advertisement of

their goods during the prohibited time.


SEC.2. Any person or entity operating a radio, television and cable
television or any person or entity engaged in the sale, manufacture or
distribution of sugar sweetened beverages who is found guilty of violating Section
1 of this Act shall suffer the following penalties:

a) _ A fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)
but not exceeding Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00) for the first
offense;

b) A fine of not less than Two hundred fifty thousand pesos
(P250,000.00) but not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for
the second offense; and

¢) Automatic revocation of its business permit for the third offense.

SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Administrator of the Food and Drug Administration shall, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and the Commissioner of the National
Telecommunications Commission, promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations governing this Act.

SEC. 4, All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC.5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,