Healthy Food Environment policy champions climb to 80!

Legislative support for building a healthy food environment is increasing rapidly, with more lawmakers stepping up to file and co-author bills that protect Filipinos from diet-related diseases.

Four (4) new Healthy Food Environment (HFE) bills have been filed in the Congress by Representatives Eric Go Yap (HB no. 8228), Eduardo Rama Jr. (8232), Gerardo Espina Jr. (8290), and Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta (8416), raising the total number of HFE bills to 21. 

In addition, Representatives Alyssa Michaela Gonzales, Charisse Anna Hernandez, Salvador Pleyto, and Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles signed on as co-authors to existing HFE Bills—HB nos. 130, 2660, 6392, respectively.

Combined with four (4) Front-of-Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) bills, Congress now has 25 bills filed, with 80 lawmakers championing a healthy food environment.

This growing support reflects legislators’ recognition of the urgent need to mandate FOPWL and restrict child-targeted marketing—critical measures to curb rising cases of noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.