New Policy Champions for Healthy Food Environment Bills
Momentum for health and nutrition reforms in the Philippines continues to grow with new legislators filing and co-authoring measures on the Healthy Food Environment (HFE).
Representative King George Collantes of the 3rd District of Batangas filed HB 7687, marking the 16th HFE Bill introduced in Congress. Meanwhile Representatives Nikko Raul Daza and Bella Vanessa Suansing have joined as co-authors for HB 130 and 2660, respectively.
Together, these new bills add to the growing body of proposed legislation aimed at tackling unhealthy diets shaped by the food environment and reducing the burden of diet-related diseases. They also reflect the increasing number of policy champions stepping forward to advance discussions on nutrition and public health.
Solons, Public Health Experts, and Advocates Step Up for Healthier Hearts
Support for stronger policies to prevent heart disease and other noncommunicable diseases took center stage during the Step Up for Healthier Hearts Wellness Walk, held on February 22 in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, as part of Philippine Heart Month.
Led by ImagineLaw, in partnership with the Quezon City Government, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), and Diabetes Philippines (DP), the walk underscored public and policymaker commitment to building a healthy food environment. Key reforms include mandating front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on unhealthy products, marketing restrictions on unhealthy food and drinks, and reformulation of high-sodium products.
Joining the symbolic walk were representatives from the Department of Health - Health Promotion Bureau, principal authors of House Bill no. 6834 Rep. Chel Diokno and Rep. Perci Cendaña, and Quezon City Councilor Vincent Belmonte, alongside citizens and advocates. To further demonstrate their support, participants also signed the commitment wall—pledging to protect heart health and support nutrition reforms.
Beyond the walk, participants engaged in free health services offered by the PHA and DP. ImagineLaw also set up interactive booths to raise awareness on the risks of high sodium intake, alcohol consumption, and the importance of FOPWL and restrictions against child-targeted marketing.
Philippines moves closer to Sodium Reformulation Policy through Multisectoral Roadmapping
The Philippines has taken an important step toward reducing excessive sodium intake through the development of a national sodium reformulation roadmap, which identifies strategies under two priority areas: policy and advocacy, and evidence and research.
ImagineLaw convened the workshop, with invited stakeholders from the Department of Health–Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB), Department of Health–Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DOH-DPCB), Department of Health–Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau (DOH-HPDPB), Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), National Nutrition Council (NNC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)..
During the activity, DOH-HPB highlighted legislative priorities, including sodium reduction under the Health Executive Agenda for Legislation and the proposed Administrative Order on the Promotion of Healthy Diets. DOST-FNRI presented global and national evidence showing that Filipinos’ sodium intake exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit, along with key dietary sources of sodium in the Filipino diet. ImagineLaw shared global best practices, highlighting mandatory reformulation and phased implementation as effective approaches to reducing sodium intake and addressing its impact on noncommunicable diseases.
The draft roadmap will be shared with the National Nutrition Council and the Food and Drug Administration for further input. After this consultation, it will be finalized to guide the next steps toward a healthier future for Filipinos.
Muntinlupeño children call for a healthy food environment
Muntinlupa City served as the final stop in ImagineLaw's series of parents-and-children activities promoting healthier food environments, giving young voices a platform to speak out on nutrition and protection from harmful marketing. Child leader Issa captured the spirit of the event, declaring: "I want to grow up strong, healthy, and active!"
The activity was joined by Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Councilor Amanda Camilon, and officials from the City Health Office and Social Services Department, affirming the city's commitment to child health and nutrition. Through storytelling, art-making, and information session, parents and children explored the importance of healthy eating and why warning labels and marketing restrictions are vital safeguards against diet-related diseases.
Held in partnership with the Muntinlupa City Council for the Protection of Children, the activity reinforced the city's pledge to build a healthy food environment for its youth. It also linked local action to national reform, with Muntinlupa City Representative Jaime Fresnedi, principal author of the Healthy Food Environment Bill (House Bill 560), leading efforts to institutionalize these protections nationwide.
Pasig City and ImagineLaw collaborate on building a healthy food environment for children
Batang Pasigueños say NO to unhealthy food ads, YES to a healthy future!
ImagineLaw collaborated with Pasig City for a special half-day session titled “Building a Healthy Food Environment for Pasigueño children," held as part of the city's ongoing campaign against childhood overweight and obesity.
The session engaged children in interactive learning about their food environment. Through a Health & Nutrition quiz bee and a Journey Mapping exercise, students identified unhealthy food ads in their communities and discussed the importance of making nutritious choices.
Learners shared key takeaways, including the value of eating more fruits and vegetables, and critically assessing food advertisements.
The collaboration highlighted the urgency of fully implementing Pasig City's Healthy Food Environment Ordinance, which is designed to safeguard children's health by restricting the sale and promotion of unhealthy food in child-centered spaces.
Sodium reformulation picks up momentum in Congress
Momentum for sodium reformulation is growing in Congress with two new bills filed by Cong. Carlos Loria, Kenneth Tereng, and Dante Garcia. Both bills call for a stepwise approach to reformulation of prepackaged food products to reduce sodium content and help lower risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
These developments build on the earlier filing of a similar measure by Cong. Nat Oducado last July and the inclusion of salt reduction in the Department of Health’s Health Executive Agenda for Legislation. This alignment signals an emerging push to implement population-level interventions that will make it easier for Filipinos to avoid NCDs.
ImagineLaw and Quezon City Government partner for children’s activity on healthy food environments
Little QCitizens said it best: "Gusto naming lumaking malusog!"
To celebrate National Children's Month, ImagineLaw and the Quezon City Government organized a parents-and-children activity highlighting the importance of nutritious food, clear food labeling, and a healthy food environment.
Children learned through storytelling and expressed their dieas in drawings of foods that help them grow strong and healthy. Parents, meanwhile, added their aspirations for a better future on a vision wall, serving as a powerful reminder that every family deserves access to safe and nutritious food.
Local leaders, including Councilor Alyson Medalla, representatives from the Quezon City Health Department, and Barangay Bagong Silangan officials led by Captain Willy Cara, also joined the event to emphasize the need for warning labels and stronger safeguards against child-directed marketing.
The activity was both a celebration and a call to action to ensure children's health is prioritized every day, and to build food environments where they can thrive free from malnutrition and unhealthy diets.
Trans Fat Elimination and Healthy Food Procurement Event
Paskong Lusog-Puso: A Public Christmas Gathering for Pinoy Heart Health
ImagineLaw, in collaboration with Quezon City, will hold a public Christmas party with QCitizens to promote trans fat elimination and healthy food procurement.
December 5, 2022, 9AM
Watch it Live via ImagineLaw’s Facebook page.
fb.com/imaginelawPH
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A Tobacco Control Event
321 Filipino Deaths a Day
An art installation to commemorate the 321 Filipino deaths due to smoking-related illnesses
April 21, 2022, 10:00am
Malcolm Square, Baguio City
Admission is free! Please observe minimum public health protocols when visiting!
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A Road Safety Event
Speeding Up the Work on Slowing Down
Recognition of national and local government partners whose work has been critical to #SlowDownToSaveLives through speed limit setting and enforcement.
April 5, 2022, 10:00am
Bulwagang Edu, LTO Central Office, Quezon City and via Zoom platform
Admission is free!
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A Tobacco Control Event
FACT vs. FAKE: Tackling Disinformation and Fake News on the Vape Bill
An online discussion to tackle disinformation and fake news surrounding the Vape Bill, together with medical doctors, policymakers, and experts.
March 17, 2022, 10:00am
via Zoom platform
Admission is free!
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A Trans Fat Elimination Event
Heart To Art: An Advocacy Exhibit
Raising Awareness on Cardiovascular Disease and COVID-19 Comorbidities
March 1-15, 2022, Open Daily 10:00am-6:00pm
Gateway Gallery, 5/F Gateway Tower
Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Admission is free! Please observe minimum public health protocols when visiting!
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