NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. R15
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*22 JUL13 P2:10
RECEiVcD B;
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, AND 
EDUCATION AMONG ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS, 
THEIR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With heavy consumption of social media nowadays, many adolescents and 
youth, especially females, have become prone to developing unhealthy concerns 
about their body image, weight and shape, and in the long run, cultivated body 
dissatisfaction, negative self-image and low self-esteem. Amid the prevalent notion 
of being thin as being healthy and attractive, some would resort to extreme dieting 
and harmful eating behaviors.
While this is a simplistic view of eating disorders which are triggered by a 
myriad of risk factors - blologlcal/genetic, environmental, psychological and 
emotional - these conditions are serious health issues and potentially life 
threatening. For instance, anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder characterized by 
self-starvation, severe food restrictions, and excessive weight loss) has numerous 
complications such as anemia, bone and muscle loss, heart failure, gastrointestinal 
and kidney problems, among oti iers, and could lead to death at its most severe1.
Considering the impact of these eating disorders to our youth, this bill seeks 
to provide awareness and education to students at all levels, as well as to their 
parents and guardians. It also mandates the Department of Health, the Department 
of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to work together and provide
1 https://www.mayoclinic.ore/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/svmDtoms-causes/svc-20353591


programs which shall improve the identification of students with eating disorders and 
train educators and school personnel on eating disorder prevention and assistance 
methods. Lastly, this measure requires the same agencies to conduct a study to 
determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and their effects on 
educational advancement and achievement.
The immediate passage of this bill is sought.
RAMONyBONG REVILLA, JR.


5^U-.V.
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
E,, 
S'cna-t;
72 JUL 13 P2:10
SENATE
515
S. No
RUCEiVcDBV/J
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Eating Disorders
2 
A wareness. Prevention and Education Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It Is a policy of the State to protect and promote
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the right of the people to health and instill health consciousness among them. The
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State also recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote
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and protect their physical, moni, spiritual, intellectual and social wellbeing.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used In this Act, the following terms shall
8 
mean:
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a) Eating disorder means a disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme
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and unhealthy reduction of food intake (anorexia nervosa) or severe
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overeating (bulimia nervosa and/or binge eating disorder), as well as
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feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.
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b) Anorexia nervosa means an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation,
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severe food restrictions, and excessive weight loss.


1 
c) Bulimia nervosa means an eating disorder characterized by excessive food
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consumption followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as
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forced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise.
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d) Binge eating disorder means frequent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.
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e) Schools mean the elementary, secondary and college educational
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institutions.
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f) Congress means both the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Sec. 4. Innovative Assistance for the Identification, Training, and Educational
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Awareness of Eating Disorders, - The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission
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on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Health (DOH) shall provide programs
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to:
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a) Improve the identification of students with eating disorders - anorexia
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nervosa, bulimia nen/osa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders,
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not otherwise specified, in order that they may receive appropriate medical
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treatment;
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b) Increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and
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c) Train educators such as teachers, school nurses, school social workers,
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coaches, school counselors, and administrators on effective eating disorder
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prevention and assistance methods.
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Sec. 5. Public Service Announcements. - The Secretary of DepEd and the
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Chairman of CHED, in consultation with the Secretary of DOH, shall carry out a
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program to develop, distribute, and promote the broadcasting of public service
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announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and
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prevention of eating disorders.
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Sec. 6. Eating Disorders Research and Report. - Not later than eighteen (18)
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months after the enactment of this Act, the DepEd, the CHED, and the DOH shall
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conduct a study on the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and
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achievement. The study shall:
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a) Determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and the
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morbidity and mortality rates associated with eating disorders;


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b) Evaluate the extent to which students with eating disorders are more likely
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to miss school, have 
delayed rates of development, or have reduced
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cognitive skills;
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c) Report on current national and local programs to educate the youth about
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the dangers of eating disorders, as well as evaluate the value of such
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programs; and
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d) Make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken to
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strengthen eating disorder prevention and awareness programs.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held Invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,