SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 Jll -8 P12:O t 
SENATE 
S. No. 582 
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;f RE;nmRI"J BY'f' , 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Food safety is the assurance that the 'food supply does not pose an "unacceptable risk to 
human health. Several factors increase the hazards from the supply of food including rapid 
urbanization, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, increased travel, higher demand for 
fast food, interest in ethnic and non-traditional food, new processing and handling IteChnOlogies, 
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emerging pathogens, immune-compromised and susceptible populations, and the emergence of 
al1etgens. 
One area of concern involves the issue of food allergens. A food allergy 'is an adverse 
immune to a food protein. They are distinct from other adverse responses to food, such as. food 
intolerance, pharmacological reactions, and toxin-mediated reactions. The immune system, 
thiriking the organism (the individual) is under attack,' triggers an allergic reaction. These 
reactions can range from mild to severe. Allergic responses include dermatitis, gastrointestinal 
. and respiratory distress, including such !lfe-threatening anaphylactic responses such as biphasic 
anaphylaxis and vasodilation. These require immediate emergency inte~vention. Individuals with 
protein allergies commonly avoid contact with the problematic protein. Some medications may 
prevent, minimize or treat protein allergy reactions. This is a significant public health issue .. 
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This bill seeks to find ways to help increase public awareness on the potentially lethal 
effects of food allergens. It is easier to cope with these conditions once the causes of these 
allergic reactions are known and awareness and prevention programs are undertaken. l 
~\w ~k'.J-- J~ 
. MIRIAM DEF~SOR S-ANTIfJO 
IJlfi 
1 This bill was originally filed during the Fifte~nth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
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" 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAT.E 
S.No. 
~82 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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" . Jtl -8 R2:02 
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TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE NATURE OF FOOD ALLERGENS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Food Allergens Awareness 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2 .. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote 
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the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them. 
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SECTION 3. Definition. - Food allergens refer to normally harmless substances that 
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trigger an abnormal response in an allergic person. The immune system of a person with allergies 
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responds to an allergen in the same way the immune system responds to a germ or antigen. 
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SECTION 4. Department of Health Campaign. - The Department of Health shall 
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implement the following strategies for raising public awareness on the nature of food allergens, 
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the health implications of food allergens, and how persons with food allergens can avoid 
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potential complications due to such allergies: 
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(a) An outreach campaign utilizing print, radio, and television public service 
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announcements, advertisements, posters, and other materials; 
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(b) Community forums; 
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(c) Health information and risk factor assessment at public events; 
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(d) Providing reliable information to policymakers; 
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(e) Distribution of information through local health agencies, schools, emplQyer wellness 
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programs, physicians, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, c0ll1l(lunity-based 
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organizations, state fairs, and department of health and senior services offices; and 
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(f) Identifying and obtaining educational materials that translate accurately the latest 
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scientific information on food allergens in easy-to-understand terms. 
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SECTION 5. 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 not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. 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 inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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