Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5957

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

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. :

ELLITA B. SUANS!|


BGR ESeevaoneunn

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

5957

House Bill pee
Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

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 non-alcoholic
beverages of any constitution (liquid, powder, or concentrates) that are pre-packaged
and sealed in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards,
that contain sugar added by the manufacturers including carbonated drinks,
sweetened juice drinks, sweetened tea and coffee, flavored water, energy drinks,
sports drinks, 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
fadio, 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,