EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
8 7 8
ol tijf frrcrrtarp
*19 AUG-6 P3'-47
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S.,gtfi^y.j5 v
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
A 
LABELING 
AND 
NUTRITIONAL 
AWARENESS 
PROGRAM 
THAT 
REQUIRES 
SCHOOLS 
TO 
POST 
NUTRITIONAL 
CONTENT 
INFORMATION 
REGARDING 
FOOD 
SERVED 
IN  
THEIR 
CANTEENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building 
and shall 
promote and protect their physical, 
moral, spiritual, 
intellectual, and social well-being."
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health and instill 
health consciousness among them."
Nutrition is the intake of food considered in relation to the body's dietary needs. 
According to the World Health Organization, poor nutrition can lead to reduced 
immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental 
development, and reduced productivity. Hence it is our objective to ensure that 
good nutritional choices becomes a part of their everyday life. In addition it can 
help them reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic 
diseases and promote overall health.


The proposed bill seeks to establish a program that will require schools to post 
nutritional content information regarding the food served at schools and guide 
students to make the right choices in selecting good food in order to lead them 
to a healthy lifestyle.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES N A ^ ^ ^ I N ^  
Senator


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. NO. 873
Senate
(pffitf 3f the f-pcirtBrp
*19 AUG -6 P3-M
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
A 
LABELING 
AND 
NUTRITIONAL 
AWARENESS 
PROGRAM 
THAT 
REQUIRES 
SCHOOLS 
TO 
POST 
NUTRITIONAL 
CONTENT 
INFORMATION 
REGARDING 
FOOD 
SERVED 
IN  
THEIR 
CANTEENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Healthy Food 
Choices for Kids Act."
Sec. 2. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the term -
(A) "Nutritionist-dietitian" refers to any person who meets the 
educational and training requirements to become a licensed 
nutritionist-dietitian 
by 
the 
Professional 
Regulation 
Commission; and
(B) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Department of 
Education.
Sec. 3. School Labeling and Nutritional Awareness Pilot Program. -
(A) In General. -  The Secretary shall award grants to not more 
than five regions to assist not more than ten schools in each 
of such regions in carrying out a pilot program that requires 
schools:


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(1) To post nutritional content information in school 
canteens regarding the food items served in the 
canteens; and
(2) To teach students about how to make health food 
selections.
(B) Grant Amount. -  The Secretary shall ensure that each grant 
awarded is of sufficient size and scope to carry out the pilot 
program.
(C) Duration of Grants. -  The Secretary may award grants for 
multiple years to regions that meet the grant requirements.
(D) Grant Requirement. -  To qualify to receive a grant, a region 
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information and assurances 
as the Secretary may require, including:
(1) An assurance that the region will ensure that each 
school awarded a subgrant meets the pilot program 
requirements within one year of such subgrant 
award;
(2) A plan to inform all the schools within the region 
about the pilot program and the school application 
requirements;
(3) An assurance that the region will use not less than 
ninety five percent (95%) of the grant funds to 
award subgrants to schools;
(4) An assurance that the region will award such 
subgrants to at least three, but not more than five, 
schools in such region that have in effect a program 
to provide nutritional content information regarding 
food items served in the canteens of such schools to 
students attending such schools; and
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(5) An assurance that the region will award such 
subgrants to at least three (3), but not more than 
five (5), schools that are located in the rural areas of 
such region.
(E) Subgrant Requirements. -  To qualify to receive a subgrant, a 
school shall submit an application to a region receiving a grant 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
and assurances as the Secretary may require, including:
(1) A plan for implementing the pilot program, including:
(a) Efforts to ensure that nutritional content 
information, including caloric information, 
regarding the food items served in the 
school's canteen is posted in a visible 
location at the point of decision in the 
canteen 
and 
that such 
information 
is 
readable and appropriate for the students 
who attend the school and the parents or 
legal guardians of such students;
(b) Efforts to develop 
and 
implement, 
or 
expand a school wellness program or other 
nutritional awareness program to include an 
educational program to teach students at 
the school 
about 
making 
health 
food 
selections; and
(c) Efforts 
to 
consuit 
with 
a 
licensed 
nutritionist-dietitian at least once a year 
regarding the pilot program requirements 
described in clauses (a) and (b) and any 
related nutritional matters;


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(2) A certification of support for participation in the pilot 
program signed by the school food manager, school 
nurse, school principal, and district superintendent 
(or equivalent positions, as determined by the 
school); and
(3) Whether the school plans to post the nutritional 
content information on the school's website.
(F) Guidance; Encouragement. -
(1) Guidance. -  The Secretary shall provide guidance to 
the 
regions 
and 
schools 
receiving 
grants 
or 
subgrants to assist such regions and schools in 
meeting the requirements.
(2) Encouragement -  The Secretary shall encourage 
schools receiving subgrants to post the nutritional 
content information, including caloric information, 
regarding food items served at the school on the 
school's website.
(G) Reports. -
(1) Each region receiving grant funds shall submit a 
report at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Not later than one year after the effective date of 
this Act and every two years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit a report to the Committees on 
Education, Arts and Culture, and Agriculture and 
Food of the House of Representatives and Senate 
that contains:
(a) The 
number 
of 
schools 
receiving 
subgrants; and


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(b) A detailed description of the status of the 
pilot program carried out by each school, 
including 
a 
list 
of 
program 
accomplishments and challenges, and an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
program, in each school.
Sec. 4. Appropriations. -  The funds needed for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of 
Education. Thereafter, such 
amount as may be necessary for its full 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a 
distinct and separate item.
Sec. 5. Separabiiity Ciause. -  If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
Sec. 6. Repeaiing Ciause. -  All lav\/s, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 7. Effectivity Ciause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,