Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, 
AND EDUCATION AMONG ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY, AND 
COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS  
The Constitution provides that: 
Article II, Section 15.  The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Article XIII, Section 11.  The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development –xxx- There shall be priority for the needs of the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. 
There is also a noticeable rise in the incidence of eating disorders in Asian countries 
like the Philippines, North Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, India, and Pakistan. Eating 
disorders can lead to death.  According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental 
Health, 1 in 10 people with anorexia nervosa will die of starvation, cardiac arrest, or 
other medical complications. Anorexia nervosa is associated with serious health 
consequences including heart failure, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and death. It has 
the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. Bulimia nervosa is associated 
with cardiac, gastrointestinal, dental problems, irregular heartbeats, gastric rupture, 
and peptic ulcer.  Binge eating is associated with obesity, heart disease, gall bladder 
disease, and diabetes.  
Eating disorders usually begin in adolescence and are associated with substantial 
psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse, and suicide. This bill 
seeks to provide schools and parents with the means and flexibility to detect and 
prevent eating disorders among students. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
9104
March 23, 2021
1:13 PM


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, 
AND EDUCATION AMONG ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY, AND 
COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as “Eating Disorders Awareness, 
Prevention, and Education Act.” 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(A) “Eating disorder” means a disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme and 
unhealthy reduction of food intake (anorexia nervosa) or severe overeating (bulimia 
nervosa and/or binge eating disorder), as well as feelings of distress or extreme 
concern about body shape or weight.
(B) “Anorexia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and 
excessive weight loss. 
(C) “Bulimia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by excessive food 
consumption followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as 
self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise. 
(D) “Binge eating disorder” means frequent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.
(E) “Schools” mean the elementary, secondary, and college educational institutions.
(F) “DepEd” means the Department of Education. 
(G) “CHED” means the Commission on Higher Education.
(H) “DOH” is the Department of Health. 
9104


 
 
 
(I) “Congress” means both the Senate and House of Representatives. 
 
SECTION 3.  Innovative Assistance for the Identification of, Training on, and 
Educational Awareness of Eating Disorders. – The DepEd, CHED, and DOH shall 
provide programs to: 
 
(A) Improve the identification of students with eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, 
bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders not otherwise 
specified, in order that they may receive appropriate medical treatment; 
 
(B) Increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and 
 
(C) Train educators such as teachers, school nurses, school social workers, coaches, 
school counselors, and administrators on effective eating disorder prevention and 
assistance methods.  
 
SECTION 4. Public Service Announcements. – The Secretary of DepEd and the 
Chairman of CHED, in consultation with the Secretary of DOH, shall carry out a 
program to develop, distribute, and promote the broadcasting of public service 
announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and 
prevention, of eating disorders. 
 
SECTION 5. Eating Disorders Research and Report. - Not later than eighteen months 
after the enactment of this Act, the DepEd, the CHED, and the DOH shall conduct a 
study on the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and 
achievement. The study shall – 
 
(A) Determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and the morbidity 
and mortality rates associated with eating disorders;  
 
(B) Evaluate the extent to which students with eating disorders are more likely to miss 
school, have delayed rates of development, or have reduced cognitive skills;  
 
(C)  Report on current national and local programs to educate youth about the 
dangers of eating disorders, as well as evaluate the value of such programs; and  
 
(D)  Make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken to strengthen 
eating disorder prevention and awareness programs. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.  
 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 


 
 
 
Approved,