Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA     
___________________________________________________________________  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The fundamental law of the land places a high priority on health and ordains the 
following: The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them.1 The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make 
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at 
affordable cost. [x x x]2 The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and 
drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health manpower development and 
research, responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.3 
The DOH tells us that, “The leading causes of death are diseases of the heart, 
diseases of the vascular system, pneumonias, malignant neoplasms/cancers, all 
forms of tuberculosis, accidents, [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] and 
allied conditions, diabetes mellitus, nephritis/nephritic syndrome and other diseases of 
respiratory system.  Among these diseases, six are non-communicable and four are 
the major [non-communicable diseases (NCDs)] such as cardiovascular diseases, 
cancers, COPD and diabetes mellitus.”4 
Setting aside the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Philippine Statistics 
Authority’s (“PSA”) preliminary data5 concerning the causes of the around 767,275 
Filipino deaths in 2021 reveal the following numbers for some of the above ailments—
ischaemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death with 136,575 cases or 17.8 
percent; cerebrovascular diseases, came in second with 74,262 deaths (9.7% share); 
1 Const. art. II, § 15. 
2 Const. art. XIII, § 11. 
3 Const. art. XIII, § 12. 
4 WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES?, available at 
https://doh.gov.ph/node/1058. 
5 Available at https://psa.gov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-january-december-
2021.  
July 4, 2022
10:30 am
1025


Neoplasms, commonly known as “cancer” ranked as the fourth leading cause of death 
with 59,503 recorded cases (7.8% share); and diabetes mellitus claimed 48,267 (6.3% 
share). 
 
In 2002, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (“FAO”) met in Geneva to “examine the science base of the relationship 
between diet and physical activity patterns, and the major nutrition-related chronic 
diseases.”6 They discuss: 
 
Recommendations were made to help prevent death and disability from major 
nutrition-related chronic diseases. These population nutrient intake and physical 
activity goals should contribute in the development of regional strategies and 
national guidelines to reduce the burden of disease related to obesity, diabetes, 
cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, osteoporosis and dental 
disease. They are based on the examination and analysis of the best available 
evidence and the collective judgement of a group of experts representing the global 
scope of WHO’s and FAO’s mandate.7 (emphasis supplied) 
 
The WHO explains further, “Healthy diets and physical activity are key to good 
nutrition and necessary for a long and healthy life. Eating nutrient dense foods and 
balancing energy intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy 
weight is essential at all stages of life.”8 It likewise recommends that people stay away 
from high-calorie foods (with high amounts of sugar, starch, or saturated/trans fats) 
and salt and suggests eating more fruits, vegetables, and foods of plant or marine 
origin. Thus, given the PSA data, we can compute that a staggering two-thirds of 
Filipino deaths can be attributed to diseases that are linked to poor diet and nutrition.9  
 
Death is likewise not the only concern. Lack of physical exercise, bad eating 
choices, and these diseases also cause inflammation, pain, difficulty in movement and 
cognition, and a poor state of overall well-being. 
 
For instance, these ailments can exacerbate other illnesses such as COVID-19—
the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States are attributable to four 
preexisting cardiometabolic conditions, a new study suggests.10 The authors estimate 
 
6 World Health Organization, Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health; Diet, nutrition and 
the prevention of chronic diseases, Report of the joint WHO/FAO expert consultation (WHO Technical 
Report 
Series, 
No. 
916), 
available 
at 
https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/summary/en/. 
7 Id. 
8 Id.  
9 
See 
also 
World 
Health 
Organization, 
Noncommunicable 
diseases, 
available 
at 
https://www.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases#tab=tab_1. The WHO tells us that 
"Noncommunicable diseases [x x x], including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung 
disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide.".  
10 
Sue 
Hughes, 
Most 
Severe 
COVID 
Tied 
to 
Four 
Cardiometabolic 
Conditions, 
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/946488 citing Meghan O’Hearn et al., Coronavirus Disease 


that among the 906,849 total COVID-19 hospitalizations that had occurred among US 
adults as of November 2020, 30% were attributable to obesity; 26% to hypertension; 
21% to diabetes; and 12% to heart failure.11 The cited article discusses: 
 
From the data, the investigators estimate that almost two thirds (63.5%) of the 
hospitalizations were attributable to these cardiometabolic conditions and that 
those hospitalizations would have been preventable had those conditions not been 
present. 
 
They estimate that a 10% reduction in these four cardiometabolic conditions 
would potentially have prevented 11.1% of COVID-19 hospitalizations. 
 
The authors believe more should be done to promote healthy lifestyle 
measures to improve overall cardiometabolic health and potentially 
minimize the risk for severe COVID-19. (emphasis supplied) 
 
There is a solid consensus among the scientific community. “Medical experts 
have long recognized the effects of diet on the risk of [cardiovascular disease], but the 
relationship between diet and many other conditions, including specific cancers, 
diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, cholelithiasis, renal stones, dental disease, 
and birth defects, have been documented more recently. The following list discusses 
six aspects of diet for which strong evidence indicates important health implications [x 
x x]. These goals are consistent with a detailed 2003 World Health Organization 
(WHO) report [x x x]: (citations omitted) 
 
(a) Replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats, including sources 
of omega-3 fatty acids. 
(b) Ensure generous consumption of fruits and vegetables and adequate 
folic acid intake. 
(c) Consume cereal products in their whole-grain, high-fiber form. 
(d) Limit consumption of sugar and sugar-based beverages. 
(e) Limit excessive caloric intake from any source. 
(f) Limit sodium intake.”12 (discussions and citations per item omitted; 
lettering supplied; readers are enjoined to visit the website containing the 
chapter for more detailed information) 
 
The State’s efforts must not stop with just encouraging physical exercise and 
proper nutrition and diet. Interventions13 with respect to education, economic policy, 
 
2019 Hospitalizations Attributable to Cardiometabolic Conditions in the United States: A Comparative 
Risk Assessment Analysis, available at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.019259.  
11 Id. 
12 Walter Willett et al., Prevention of Chronic Disease by Means of Diet and Lifestyle Changes, Disease 
Control Priorities in Developing Countries 833 (Dean Jamison et al. editors, 2nd ed.) available at 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11795/ (2006). 
13 Id. Readers are enjoined to visit the website for its in-depth discussions. 


the Filipino community, the environment, and supply-systems, among others, must 
also be adopted.  
This bill adopts an intensified educational and informational campaign—in and 
out of school—and prescribes the creation of bicycle lanes and improved walk paths 
to encourage physical movement. The bill also creates a Lusog Pinoy Application with 
a plethora of information and functionalities. Furthermore, certain food establishments 
are also proposed to be required to disclose the micro- and macronutrient content of 
their menu items to the consuming public to aid in decision-making. Special privileges 
are also granted to senior citizens, persons with disability, and national athletes and 
coaches. Continuous research is also mandated so that our health programs and 
initiatives remain on the cutting edge. The bill likewise helps instill health 
consciousness among members of the civil service and the private sector.  
Investing now on health consciousness pays greater dividends in the future. A 
healthy citizenry becomes better focused on learning and becoming tomorrow’s 
leaders. Healthcare costs and the need for social services also get reduced in the long 
run.   
Proper nutritional habits sustain and affect us for the rest of our lives. “In most 
cases, quantifying the effects of the intervention is difficult, because behavioral 
changes may take many years and synergies are potentially important but hard to 
estimate in formal studies. Substantial nihilism often exists regarding the ability to 
change populations' diets or behaviors, but major changes are possible over extended 
periods of time.”14 These changes must be steadfast and should be made today. 
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA 
3rd District, Province of Cebu 
14 Id. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA     
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL POLICY ON NUTRITION, DIETETICS, 
PHYSICAL WELLNESS, AND HEALTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Congress of the 
Philippines in session assembled: 
Section 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Healthy Living Act 
of 2022”. 
Section 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State 
shall also adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development 
that shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available 
to all the people at affordable cost. The State shall likewise establish and maintain an 
effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health manpower 
development and research, responsive to the country’s health needs and problems. It 
is also the policy of the State to instill broad consumer understanding and scientific 
knowledge upon its citizens so they may achieve optimal nutrition, physical fitness, 
better health and wellness, and overall reduced morbidity and mortality rates. Lastly, 
it is the policy of the State to adopt data-driven, scientific, and well-researched 
approaches suited for the Philippine context in pursuing these ends. 
Section 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall be defined as follows: 
(a)
Athletes with disabilities shall refer to persons with disabilities, as
defined as defined herein, who are Filipino citizens, recognized and accredited 
by the Philippine Sports Commission (“PSC”) and the National Paralympic 
1025


Committee of the Philippines (“NPC PHIL”), and who have represented the 
country in international sports competitions; 
 
(b) 
Covered Food Establishments (“CFEs”) shall refer to restaurants 
and similar retail food establishments, such as but not limited to, quick service 
and sit-down franchise or chain restaurants, grocery and convenience stores 
that serve restaurant-type food, take-out establishments and delivery chains,  
entertainment venues that are part of a chain (e.g. movie theaters, amusement 
parks), chain cafeterias, chain coffee shops, bars, bistros, and bakeries, that 
are:  
 
(i) 
Part of a group with five (5) or more locations, whether 
operating locally, provincially, regionally, or nationally; 
 
(ii) 
Doing business under the same name; 
 
(iii) 
Offering for sale substantially the same menu or food items 
or selections with the same standardized content, portions, or servings; 
and 
 
(iv) 
Of whatever type of ownership structure or arrangement, 
individually or collectively; 
 
(c)  
National athletes shall refer to athletes including persons with 
disabilities who are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool, 
recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (“POC”) and 
the PSC, including athletes with disabilities who are recognized and accredited 
by the NPC PHIL and the PSC and who have represented the country in 
international sports competitions;  
 
(d) 
National coaches shall refer to coaches of national athletes, who 
are Filipino citizens, members of the national coaches training pool, recognized 
and accredited by the PSC and the POC, or the PSC and NPC PHIL in the case 
of AWD coaches, who have represented the country as official coaches to 
national athletes in international sports competitions; 
 
(e) 
Non-government organizations and individuals shall mean 
members of professional organizations such as the Philippine Medical 
Association, the accredited integrated professional organizations of nutritionist-
dieticians and physical and occupational therapists, food technologists and 
scientists, exercise and sports scientists, behavioral economists, the academe, 
concerned entities from the private sector, non-government organizations, 
people’s organizations, and civic service groups, determined by the National 
Nutrition Council in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (“IRR”) through a 


manner consistent with the policies and aims of this Act, which shall aid in the 
formulation and execution of the National Healthy Living Framework and related 
health consciousness, consumer awareness, and scientific knowledge 
strategies. 
 
(f) 
Persons with disability are those who have long-term physical, 
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various 
barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal 
basis with others.  
 
(g)  
Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at 
least sixty (60) years old. 
 
Section 4. 
National Healthy Living Framework. - The Department of 
Health (“DOH”) along with The National Nutrition Council (“NNC”) and the non-
government organizations and individuals as defined herein, shall establish, formulate 
and implement the National Healthy Living Framework for a comprehensive Healthy 
Living program within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act. The Framework 
shall, among other goals determined in the IRR as shall be consistent with the policies 
and provisions of this Act, prescribe Healthy Living goals and related strategies for 
health consciousness, broad consumer awareness, and scientific knowledge for the 
Filipino nation.  
 
The NNC shall espouse a scientific approach in its decision-making and shall 
always keep abreast of contemporary scientific findings, researches, and 
developments. 
This Framework’s prescribed short-, medium-, and long-term goals shall be 
contained in an Action Plan which shall be published or released within six (6) months 
after the first meeting and shall reflect the mandates found in the provisions of this Act. 
The Action Plan shall be revised from time to time to reflect refinements, changes, and 
improvements in any part of the National Healthy Living Framework. 
 
Section 5. 
Core Principle. - In all endeavors by the NNC or any natural or 
juridical person or institution, public or private, concerning the provisions of this Act, it 
must be made clear to the Filipino end-user that the information, such as but not limited 
to, text, graphics, images, diagrams, video-tutorials, and other material contained on 
any website, message, email, advertisement, press release, the Lusog Pinoy 
Application described herein, and the like are for informational purposes only. The 
purpose of this Act is to promote health consciousness, broad consumer 
understanding, and scientific knowledge of various health topics among Filipinos. It is 
not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 
The Filipino end-user must always be encouraged to seek the advice of a physician or 
other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions they may have about a 


medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, 
nutritional and dietetic strategy, physical exercise plan, or any other lifestyle change 
encouraged by virtue of the provisions of this Act. They must be told to never disregard 
professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of what they may have read 
because of the programs and initiatives of this Act. 
 
Section 6. 
Lead Agency. - The DOH shall be the primary government 
agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act, the 
advancement of the declared policies in Section 2, and the National Healthy Living 
Framework. It shall ensure that the mandates provided in this Act are fulfilled by 
adopting the necessary initiatives, programs, and projects and that interagency 
cooperation and the proper public and private linkages are observed in the 
accomplishment of the purposes prescribed herein. 
 
Section 7. 
Intensified and Continuing Educational Campaign on 
Healthy Living. - A continuing information and education campaign, through all 
schools and mass media such as the internet, newsprint, radio, television, and the like, 
concerning healthy living practices, methods, strategies, and attitudes shall be 
promoted by Department of Education (“DepEd”) and the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development in cooperation with agencies such as the Philippine 
Information Agency and the Philippine News Agency. Such a campaign shall 
encourage the multi-sectoral participation of non-government organizations and 
individuals as defined herein. 
 
The DepEd shall ensure that all school curricula from Grades 1 to 12, with due 
regard to academic freedom, include up-to-date and age-appropriate information 
concerning proper nutrition, dietetics, physical fitness, and other health and wellness 
topics. 
 
The Commission on Higher Education may, consistent with academic freedom, 
prescribe guidelines which tertiary public and private educational institutions may 
adopt in their curricula for the purpose of teaching students about proper nutrition, 
dietetics, physical fitness, and other health and wellness topics. 
 
Section 8. 
Bicycle Lanes and Improved Walk Paths. - To encourage more 
physical activity through the use of bicycles and increased walking, there shall be 
established bicycle lanes in all primary and secondary roads in all cities and 
municipalities of the Philippines as well as improved pedestrian walk paths and 
sidewalks. Motorized vehicles shall not be allowed to park or traverse along 
designated bicycle or walk paths but may cross them momentarily to change lanes or 
streets, to park adjacent to a bicycle lane, or such other exception as may be 
prescribed in the IRR. 
 
Bicycle lanes shall, as much as possible, be physically separated via barriers 
from lanes designated for motorized vehicles but shall not compromise pedestrian 


walkways or sidewalks. In any case, bicycle lanes shall be clearly and conspicuously 
marked.  
 
As far as practicable, bicycle lanes shall be made to connect and traverse all 
local government units as well as airports and piers.  
 
In order to foster a conducive and safe bicycling and walking society, the 
following support infrastructure and facilities shall be established, among other goals 
as may be determined in the National Healthy Living Framework and Action Plan: 
(a) 
Bicycle parking facilities and lots in public places, government 
offices, educational, commercial, and financial establishments, and hospitals 
and transportation terminals and the like; 
 
(b) 
Well-lit sidewalks and pathways; 
 
(c) 
Sidewalk improvements with more trees and shrubbery; 
 
(d) 
Traffic-calming measures, speed reduction bumps, and other 
similar installations; 
 
(e) 
Pedestrian islands; 
 
(f) 
Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; 
 
(g) 
Clearly marked crosswalks; 
 
(h) 
Warning signs to alert motorists of bicycles;  
 
(i) 
Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and 
 
(j) 
Traffic diversion improvements.  
 
A Task Force to ensure the proper fulfillment of the goals of this Section is 
hereby constituted and shall assist in formulating the appropriate recommendations to 
be adopted and reflected in the National Healthy Living Framework and Action Plan 
as defined in Section 4 and the IRR. The Task Force shall be composed of: 
(a) 
The Secretary of the Department of Transportation; 
 
(b) 
A representative from the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government; 
 
(c) 
A representative from the Department of Public Works and 
Highways; 
 
(d) 
A representative from the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources; 


 
(e) 
A representative from the Metropolitan Manila Development 
Authority; 
 
(f) 
A representative from the University of the Philippines School of 
Urban and Regional Planning; and 
 
(g) 
Three 
(3) 
representatives 
from 
private 
non-government 
organizations, advocacy groups, or civil societies concerned with bicycling 
and/or walking.  
 
Section 9. 
Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items - The NNC shall produce 
a Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items (“Schedule”) to encourage Filipino citizens and 
families to consume nutritious food and undertake diet plans which are scientifically 
correlated if not proven to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates if 
consistently and properly adopted as part of a healthy lifestyle. Such Schedule shall 
be thoroughly vetted by scientists and professionals from the non-government 
organizations and individuals as defined herein and shall inform Filipinos of healthier 
alternatives to the usual fare they consume. The Schedule shall, among other goals 
as may be determined by the NNC in the IRR in accordance with this Act, list food 
items that encourage the consumption: 
(a)  
Of healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats 
to replace saturated and trans fats; 
(b) 
Of fruits and vegetables, which are nutritionally-dense and 
contain micronutrients such as potassium and folic acid; and 
(c) 
Of cereals, grains, rice varieties, and other sources that are 
whole-grain and/or high in fiber and not high in refined starches. 
In coming up with the Schedule, the NNC shall include the following as 
objectives in its selection: 
(a) 
The limited consumption if not total avoidance of added sugar and 
sugar-based beverages and food; 
(b) 
The avoidance of the excessive consumption of calories from any 
source; and 
(c) 
The limited consumption of sodium. 
The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department of 
Agriculture, and the National Economic Development Authority shall establish and 
enforce a system of reasonable incentives and subsidies that promote the cultivation, 
production, generation, distribution, marketing, and/or sale of products and food items 
found in the Schedule. 


The government shall endeavor to make the food items in the Schedule 
affordable and available to all Filipinos. 
Section 10. Health Promotion Activities in the Civil Service and Private 
Workplaces. - The Civil Service Commission (“CSC”) and the Department of Labor 
and Employment (“DOLE”) shall endeavor to promote health activities and 
interventions among public officers and employees, and those in the private sector, 
respectively, such as but not limited to educating them; recommending their screening 
for behavioral risk factors which contribute to morbidity; designing incentive programs 
to walk, ride a bicycle, or take public transportation to work, which workplaces may 
adopt; issuing guidelines concerning physical wellness programs, disciplines, or 
exercises during breaks or after work; the endorsement of workplace environment 
improvements to promote activity; and suggesting the adoption of the Schedule of 
Lusog Pinoy Food Items in cafeterias. The CSC and the DOLE shall explore the use 
of regular memoranda to inform public officers and employees and those in the private 
sector of NNC-approved health, nutrition, and physical wellness information. 
Section 11. Mandatory Display of Nutritional Information on Menus, 
Signages, Menu Boards, and Online Displays of Covered Food Establishments. 
- CFEs, as defined herein, shall disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, on their 
menus, signages, menu boards, online displays and the like, the carbohydrate, fat, 
protein, and calorie content of their standard food items and selections. Such 
information shall be displayed adjacent to these items so as to be clearly associated 
with them. In the case of display tags, the above information shall be stated thereon.  
For CFEs that adopt self-service models, as in the case of food sold at a buffet 
line, salad bar, cafeteria line, or other similar arrangements and facilities, and for self-
service beverages or food that are on display and visible to customers, they shall place 
adjacent to each food item or beverage offered a sign that lists their respective 
carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie content per serving. CFEs shall endeavor to 
describe to customers the amount of food or drink contained in a particular serving in 
a practical and intelligible manner (e.g. “W carbs, X fat, Y, protein, and Z cals.” per 
“scoop”, “bowl”, “bagel”, or “small cup filled to the red line” etc.). 
 
For food items and selections that come in different flavors, combinations, or 
varieties that are listed as a single item, carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie 
disclosures, where there are only two options available, must be presented with a 
slash between the two disclosures (e.g., “5g/7g of protein” or "180/350 cals.") or as a 
range (e.g., “15g–25g of carbs”) if there are three or more options. Accordingly, if there 
is only one possible total despite the available options, then this total shall be 
disclosed.  
The disclosure of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie content next to a 
standard menu item that is intended to serve more than one individual, shall include 


the number of individuals intended to be served by such food item or selection and the 
corresponding nutritional content per individual serving.  
 
CFEs shall likewise disclose information, in a clear and conspicuous manner, 
on a brochure or similar display, whether physical or digital, the latter accessible via 
an application, website link, quick response (QR) code or such other manner as the 
NNC may prescribe, made available at the point of sale prior to or during the placement 
of an order to aid in decision-making, the other nutritional information of their standard 
food items or selections such as their salt, cholesterol, fiber, and sugar content, fat 
breakdown (saturated and trans fats), and component vitamins and minerals and their 
amounts. 
 
In order to contextualize and allow Filipinos to understand better the 
significance of the information disclosures as required by this Section, CFEs shall 
place, at the bottom of their menus, signs, menu boards, and online displays in a 
readable text size, the amount of daily calories needed to sustain a healthy Filipino 
adult, as prescribed by the NNC. Menus, signages, menu boards, and online displays 
intended for children shall disclose their corresponding calorie targets. CFEs shall also 
include a disclaimer that calorie targets vary from person to person. 
 
CFEs shall be given twelve (12) months from the promulgation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations, to replace and/or update their existing menus, 
signages, menu boards, and online displays to reflect the provisions of this Section. 
The NNC shall, in the Implementing Rules and Regulations, prescribe the manner as 
to how CFEs may have their food items and selections reasonably or scientifically 
measured and evaluated for the disclosure requirements prescribed herein. CFEs 
shall be required, in regular intervals as shall be determined by the NNC, to have their 
disclosures certified as true and correct before display. The introduction of a new 
standardized food item or selection to the menus, signages, menu boards, and online 
displays of a CFE shall require prior approval from the NNC pursuant to the disclosure 
requirements of this Section. 
 
Third-party intermediary food delivery services, which interact with customers 
via mobile applications, online websites, and the like, are hereby required to 
accordingly modify their interfaces to properly reflect the disclosure requirements 
provided for by this Section for their CFE partners. 
 
In any case, the NNC may prescribe additional pieces of information which 
CFEs must disclose and in what manner, consistent with the provisions of this Act.  
 
This Section’s disclosure requirements shall not apply to: 
(a)  
Custom Orders or any food order that is prepared in a specific 
manner based on an individual customer’s request, which requires a substantial 
deviation from the usual preparation of a standard food item or selection; 


(b)  
Daily Specials and the like; 
(c)  
Temporary Food Items or Selections that appear on a menu, 
signage, menu board, or online display for less than a total of thirty (30) 
calendar days per year; 
(d) 
General-Purpose Condiments (e.g., liquid seasoning or hot sauce 
bottles, flasks of syrup on the table); 
(e) 
Foods part of a Customary Market Test, which are displayed only 
for a short period as shall be determined by the NNC; and 
(f) 
Any other analogous exemption as may be prescribed by the 
NNC consistent with the provisions of this Act. 
 
Section 12. Lusog Pinoy Application. - The Lusog Pinoy Application is 
hereby created and shall be a comprehensive portal designed to provide mobile, 
tablet, laptop, desktop, and other users with basic things such as: 
 
(a) 
A calculator suited for the anatomy and physiology of a typical 
Filipino, as shall be determined by the NNC. This calculator shall have various 
functionalities such as: 
 
(i)  
A Calorie Calculator which shall compute, based on given 
inputs such as height, weight, sex, age, and weekly physical activity 
levels, the recommended calorie intake of the user to achieve certain 
goals such as weight maintenance, a healthy pace of light or moderate 
weight loss, or a healthy pace of light or moderate weight gain; 
 
(ii) 
A Body Mass Index calculator to categorize, given inputs 
like height and weight, if the user is underweight, normal weight, 
overweight, or obese; 
 
(iii) 
A Body Fat Calculator to compute, given inputs such as 
height, weight, and other body measurements, the user’s body fat 
percentage; 
 
(iv) 
An Ideal Weight Calculator to recommend, given inputs 
such as weight, sex, and age, to the user the ideal weight he or she must 
attain in accordance with the formula which shall be adopted by the NNC; 
 
(v) 
A food and meal plan budgeting calculator and analysis 
tool which, after being given inputs such as family size, family-member 
ages, health goals, and daily/weekly/monthly financial budgets, comes 
out with a recommended meal plan that is economical and nutritious; and 


 
(vi) 
Any other tool, calculator, index, formula, or functionality 
which the NNC shall prescribe, consistent with the provisions of this Act 
and the declaration of policies. 
 
The calculator shall accordingly link or display information, given 
any result, which shall help the user achieve his or her particular health 
goals. The information linked may redirect users to external sources 
such as NNC-approved websites or display other portions of the 
Application such as those found below; and/or other such resources the 
NNC shall prescribe, consistent with the provisions of this Act and the 
declaration of policies; 
 
(b)  
A comprehensive calorie-counter database of common Filipino 
food and generic snacks items regularly found in markets and other places of 
sale which shall contain nutritional information about them such as the amount 
of sodium and sugar they contain, their calories, and their micronutrient and 
macronutrient content, to aid in decision-making; 
 
 
(c) 
The Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items, as mandated in Section 
9, which shall contain nutritional information about them such as the amount of 
sodium and sugar they contain, their micronutrient and macronutrient content, 
calories, the benefits of their consumption, availability, suggested retail prices, 
and sample dishes and recipes; 
 
(d) 
User-appropriate and goal-oriented healthy sample meal plans 
and recipes, which shall incorporate, as much as possible, foods from the 
Schedule of Lusog Pinoy Food Items; 
 
(e) 
A sleep, meditation, and relaxation aid which shall feature music 
and calming sounds from Philippine environments, artists, and cultures and 
shall have the corresponding timers and alarms; 
 
(f) 
User-appropriate and goal-oriented healthy daily or weekly 
exercise plans, which may be done at home or at workout gymnasiums, and 
shall provide choices, via diagrams or video-tutorials, such as stretching, 
calisthenics, weight training, low- or moderate-intensity steady state 
cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval training, and such 
other exercises which may be recommended by NNC; 
 
(g) 
A running companion application which may prescribe user-
appropriate and goal-oriented programs or simply act as a tracker that 
measures the distance, time, frequency, pace, speed, and other metrics, as 
may be determined in the IRR, of the user’s running session. This companion 


may likewise be integrated with music and heart-rate support and estimate the 
user’s burned calories; 
 
(h) 
Various educational resources such articles, images, diagrams, 
and other such information which shall educate the user as to how he or she 
may achieve optimal wellness through proper diet, exercise, sleep, and any 
other lifestyle change. For this purpose, the user may enlist in regular 
newsletters which may be sent to his or her email or mobile phone; and 
 
(i)  
Any other feature which the NNC shall prescribe, consistent with 
the purposes of this Act and the declaration of policies. 
 
The Department of Information and Communication Technology 
(“DICT”) shall be the lead agency tasked with the design, development, 
implementation, distribution, maintenance, and improvement of the Lusog 
Pinoy Application with due supervision and control from the NNC. In the interest 
of minimizing the impact on the storage capacities of users’ devices, the NNC, 
in consultation with the DICT, shall determine which features and pieces of 
information shall be part of the core application and those which shall be hosted 
externally and will be accordingly accessed only when desired by the user. The 
features and information made part of the Application shall be of an important 
nature and shall be made available to the user even when offline. 
 
The DICT shall ensure that the Application shall demonstrate the 
following characteristics: 
 
(a)  
Open data and content; 
 
(b) 
Excellent User Interface, User Experience, and Intelligibility; 
 
(c) 
Ease of internal and external data exchange;  
 
(d) 
User safety and privacy;  
 
(e) 
Economical use of budget and resources; 
 
(f) 
Multilingual Functionality;  
 
(g) 
Correctness; 
 
(h) 
Dependability; 
 
(i) 
Efficiency; 
 


(j) 
Adaptability; 
 
(k) 
Wide-compatibility; 
 
(l)  
Appealing Aesthetics; and 
 
(m)  
Any other standard or quality as may be determined by the NNC 
in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act. 
 
Section 13. Special Privileges. - Without prejudice to the exclusive 
application of other benefits or privileges as may be found in other laws, rules or 
regulations, any senior citizen, person with disability, or national athlete or coach, as 
defined herein shall be entitled to the grant of a ten percent (10%) discount and Value 
Added Tax (VAT)-exemption on the purchase of food found in the Schedule of Lusog 
Pinoy Food Items, as defined herein, in any state, whether natural, raw, pre-packaged, 
cooked and served or otherwise, from all persons and establishments for their 
exclusive use, enjoyment or availment. 
 
Persons with disability shall also be entitled to the grant of a twenty percent 
(20%) discount and exemption from VAT, if applicable, on the acquisition of workout 
or rehabilitation gymnasium memberships, the use of their facilities, access to fitness 
clubs, and other similar arrangements. 
 
All establishments shall place signages in conspicuous areas within their 
premises to inform senior citizens, persons with disability, or national athletes or 
coaches that they are entitled to the discounts and VAT tax-exemption mentioned in 
this section. 
 
The Department of Finance through the Bureau of Internal Revenue shall issue 
the corresponding Revenue Regulations and/or Revenue Memorandum Circulars 
related to the grant of the discounts and VAT-exemption within thirty (30) days from 
the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Section 14. Continuous Research and Development. - The Department of 
Science and Technology, in cooperation with public and private research institutions, 
shall continuously apprise the various government departments, agencies, and 
instrumentalities and the non-government organizations and individuals mentioned in 
this Act of novel studies, developments, and researches, here and abroad, regarding 
nutrition and dietetics, physical fitness, health and wellness, and such other topics 
which may be related to the purposes of this Act. 
 
Studies in the Philippine context and monitoring efforts to determine and 
improve the effects of the measures prescribed by this Act are hereby mandated, such 
as but not limited to: 


 
(a) 
The conduct of randomized trials of the use of folic acid and alpha-
linoleic acid to prevent cardiovascular disease; 
 
(b) 
The development of prospective cohort studies of dietary and 
lifestyle factors to refine the understanding of risk factors; 
 
(c) 
The development of surveillance systems for chronic diseases 
and for major risk factors, such as obesity; 
 
(d) 
The development of additional multifaceted, community-based 
demonstration programs to document the feasibility of lifestyle changes and to 
learn more about effective strategies; and 
 
(e) 
The conduct of detailed cost-effectiveness analyses of various 
prevention strategies to modify dietary and lifestyle factors  
 
Section 15. Penalties. - 
 
(a)  
Motorists who shall traverse or park on the designated bike and 
walk paths as provided for in Section 8 shall be meted with the following 
penalties: 
 
(i) 
Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) fine for the first 
offense; 
 
(ii) 
Ten 
Thousand 
Pesos 
(Php 
10,000.00) 
fine 
with 
suspension of Driver’s License for three (3) months for the second 
offense; and 
 
(iii) 
Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00) and revocation 
of Driver’s License for the third and succeeding offenses. 
 
(b)  
CFEs and third-party intermediary delivery services which shall 
not abide by the requirements of Section 11 of this Act shall be meted with the 
following penalties: 
 
(i) 
Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) fine for the first 
offense with suspension of operations until rectified; 
 
(ii) 
Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) fine with 
suspension of operations until rectified; and 
 


(iii) 
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) and 
closure of business with revocation of business permit and other such 
privileges granted by the government. 
 
For purposes of Section 15(b), the IRR shall prescribe a reasonable 
period within which CFEs and third-party intermediary delivery services may 
rectify any deficiency with respect to any of the mandates in Section 11. The 
NNC, in the IRR, shall likewise prescribe the additional privileges and grants 
which may be revoked due to a third violation. 
 
(c)  
Any person, establishment, organization, or institution which shall 
not honor the special privileges granted in Section 13 shall be, for the first 
violation, fined not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not 
exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) or imprisonment 
of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both at the 
discretion of the court; and for any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than 
One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) but not exceeding Two 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) or imprisonment for less than two 
(2) years but not more than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court. 
 
(d)  
Any person who shall falsely assume the identity of any of the 
class of persons granted special privileges in Section 13 for purposes of 
obtaining the same shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
months or a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) but not 
more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of 
the court. 
 
Section 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the 
government agencies mentioned herein. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary 
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
Section 17. Report to Congress. - The DOH shall report to Congress, not 
later than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, the progress of 
efforts to promote health consciousness and the other goals prescribed by this Act and 
make the necessary recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative 
action. 
 
Section 18. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a joint congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation of 
this Act. The committee shall be composed of five (5) senators and five (5) 
representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, respectively. The oversight committee shall be co-chaired by a 


senator and a representative designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, respectively. The mandate given to the joint 
congressional oversight committee under this Act shall be without prejudice to the 
performance of the duties and functions by the respective existing oversight 
committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
 
Section 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NNC shall 
convene within sixty  (60)  days  from  the  effectivity  of  this  Act and shall promulgate 
the necessary implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months thereafter. 
Section 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, proclamations, 
rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
Section 21. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected shall 
continue to remain in full force and effect. 
Section 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,