Rep.Magtanggol Gunigundo (2nd district, Valenzuela City) wants the government to regulate the sale, marketing and promotion of sodas and sweetened drinks in containers over 16 ounces as part of its efforts to prevent obesity and diabetes among Filipinos.
Citing a study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Gunigundo expressed concern over findings that obesity is now on the rise among Filipinos aged 20 and above, which, in turn, threatens to increase the number of people afflicted with degenerative lifestyle-related ailments like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Gunigundo, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), said the relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soda consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times.
In line with the Department of Health’s observance of Obesity Prevention and Awareness Week, Gunigundo has filed HB 1871 or his proposed “Soda Regulation Act of 2013,” which aims to prohibit the sale of soda, soft drinks and other sweetened liquids 16 ounces and above per container and impose regulations on the marketing, trade and promotion of these products.
The DOH is observing Obesity Prevention and Awareness Week from September 7 to 14 this year.
"The government is within its right to restrict behavior to protect health based on the constitutional fiat, particularly Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill consciousness among them," Gunigundo said in filing House Bill 1871.
HB 1871 has been referred to the House committee on trade and industry and the committee on health.
Gunigundo said that based on the study conducted by the DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, there were about 20 out of 100 adults of both sexes who were overweight in 1998. The figure increased to 24 and 27 out of 100 in 2003 and 2008, respectively. In the 2008 survey, 2.7% Filipino adults aged 20 years and over are suffering from impaired fasting glucose, while hyperglycemia or high fasting blood sugar (FBS) level is 4.8%. The prevalence of hypertension among adults is 25%, increasing with age starting from age 40-49 years.
The FNRI said that obesity among children is also on the rise. In 2011, at least 8 in 100 (or 7.5%) of school children 6-10 years old, and around 4 in 100 (or 4.3 percent) of preschoolers 0-5 years old were overweight.
The lawmaker said the Philippines, which already bans smoking in public parks to safeguard public health, should now regulate the sales of large sodas and other sugary drinks to help prevent obesity and its debilitating consequences.
Gunigundo said that habitual soda guzzling can increase risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. He cited Harvard researchers who reported that people who drink at least 12 ounces of soda daily are 50% more likely to develop a condition that can lead to coronary artery disease, stroke and diabetes.
A bottle of a regular 8-ounce soda is loaded with five heaping tablespoons of sugar and health authorities are now saying that a can of soda contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar, Gunigundo noted.
"Any health provider would simply recommend that adults consume less than six teaspoons of sugar a day while kids, only three teaspoons. Health authorities have warned that excessive intake of soda, which some say is habit-forming, can send one's blood sugar shooting up," Gunigundo said.