TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. ^99
4. i S t V -L
V ' 
of I'ir
25 AUG-5 P2:08
RFCEiVPfl £V. 4
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF OBESITY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Obesity has become an alarming public health challenge in the Philippines, with 
its prevalence rising steadily across all age groups. As a leading risk factor for non- 
communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, 
hypertension, and certain cancers, obesity not only endangers individual health but 
also places a heavy economic and social burden on the country's healthcare system 
and workforce productivity.
Despite ongoing health initiatives, the absence of a focused, national legislation 
specifically targeting obesity prevention and control has hindered a unified, strategic 
response to this epidemic. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive, multisectoral 
policy framework that addresses the root causes of obesity, promotes healthier 
lifestyles, and safeguards vulnerable populations.
Filed by Senator Cynthia A. Villar in the 19th Congress, this bill seeks to establish 
a robust national policy for the prevention and control of obesity. It envisions an 
integrated approach that combines public health education, regulatory measures.


environmental changes, and active community involvement to curb the obesity 
epidemic and enhance the overall health of Filipinos.
The bill provides for the following essential components:
1. The creation and implementation of a National Obesity Prevention and 
Control Program that includes widespread health promotion, nutrition 
education, and the encouragement of regular physical activity across all 
sectors of society;
2. The establishment of regulations to limit the marketing and availability of 
unhealthy foods and beverages, particularly to children and other vulnerable 
groups;
3. The promotion of healthy environments by improving access to nutritious 
food options, developing safe and accessible spaces for physical activity, 
and integrating health-supportive policies in schools, workplaces, and 
communities;
4. The institution of a comprehensive monitoring and surveillance system to 
track obesity prevalence and evaluate the impact of interventions 
nationwide;
5. The appropriation of necessary funding to support program implementation, 
capacity building, and coordination among government agencies, local 
government units, and other stakeholders.
By addressing obesity through a coordinated and sustained effort, this measure 
aims to reduce the incidence and burden of obesity-related diseases, improve quality 
of life, and contribute to the sustainable development of the nation's health sector.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


i.
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 899
■-'»! 
of lit? ‘
25 AUG-5 P2-.08
RECEIVED BV: _
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF OBESITY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Obesity Act".
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect
3 
and promote the right to health of the people. Towards this end, a system for the
4 
control and prevention of obesity among citizens shall be provided and the need for a
5 
responsible diet established.
6 
Sec. 3. Obesity. - For the purpose of this Act, obesity shall refer to an excess
7 
proportion of total body fat usually diagnosed when a person's weight is at least
8 
twenty percent (20%) more than his or her normal or ideal weight. It is usually
9 
measured in body mass index (BMI), and is affected by, but not limited to, age,
10 
gender, genetics, environmental factors physical activity, psychological factors illness
11 
and medication.
12 
Sec. 4. National Anti-Obesity Campaign. - It is hereby mandated that there
13 
shall be a National Anti-Obesity Prevention and Control Program to be implemented
14 
by a multi-agency/multi-sectoral committee chaired the Department of Health. The
15 
program shall be a multi-agency effort in controlling and preventing obesity in the
16 
country. Among its component activities include:


1 
1) Awareness and prevention programs;
2 
2) Provisions for consultations at the nearest health centers; and
3 
3) Conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and
4 
control of obesity.
5 
The program shall be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH),
6 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local
7 
Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), as well as Local Government
8 
Units (LGUs) with the assistance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and
9 
People's Organizations (POs).
10 
Sec. 5. Responsibilities of Government Agencies. - The following government
11 
agencies, which shall jointly implement the National Anti-Obesity Prevention and
12 
Control Program, shall be tasked to:
13 
a) Department of Health:
14 
1) Stimulate the development, improvement and implementation of
15 
new strategies and interventions to improve our understanding of
16 
obesity, its causes and its effects;
17 
2) Design projects and studies to help identify ways to better describe
18 
the impact of obesity and reduce medical complications;
19 
3) Coordinate with the DepEd in the development of appropriate health
20 
education strategy to inform the public on obesity prevention and
21 
control; and
22 
4) Encourage collaborative activities with the DOST, DepEd, NGOs, Pos
23 
and other concerned sectors.
24 
b) Barangays and other LGUs:
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1) Allocate funds to support the implementation of the National Anti-
26 
Obesity, Prevention and Control Program within their locality; and
27 
2) Enact additional local ordinances that will support the National Anti-
28 
Obesity, Prevention and Control Program and initiate programs in
29 
which should include awareness campaign and other preventive
30 
measures.
31 
The DILG shall ensure compliance of these responsibilities by the LCDs.
32 
c) Department of Education


1 
1) strengthen anti-obesity education program through school health
2 
teaching/curriculum;
3 
2) Encourage collaborative activities and information-sharing with the
4 
DOH, DILG, DENR, NGOs and other concerned sectors;
5 
3) Integrate proper information and education in the relevant subjects
6 
in the Elementary and High School levels, and
7 
4) Implement other preventive actions that the Department of Health
8 
may provide.
9 
Sec. 6. Assistance of NGOs and the Academe. - The agencies tasked to
10 
implement the anti-obesity program shall seek the assistance and participation of
11 
NGOs in any of the following activities:
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a) Community mobilization;
13 
b) Health education/information dissemination;
14 
c) Mass anti-obesity campaign;
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d) Promotion of the anti-obesity campaign;
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e) Surveillance/reporting of obesity cases; and
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f) Any other activities geared towards the prevention of obesity.
18 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, in
19 
coordination with the DILG, DepEd, NGOs and POs shall issue the necessary rules and
20 
regulation within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
21 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
22 
this Act shall be initially charged against the appropriations of the DOH, DILG and
23 
DepEd under the General Appropriations Act. For the LGUs, the requirement shall be
24 
taken from their Internal Revenue Allotment and other local funds. Thereafter, such
25 
sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the
26 
annual General Appropriations Act.
27 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - In case any provision of this Act is declared
28 
unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
29 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
30 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
31 
circulation.
Approved,