As convened by HealthJustice Philippines, the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), a civil society and public health advocacy network led by people living with chronic disease, backed legislative initiatives that will implement front-of-pack food warning labels. The proposed bill also restricts marketing of unhealthy packaged food, and most of all, empowers Filipinos to choose to eat healthier and prevent obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

 

House Bill 8284 or the “Healthy Food Marketing and Labelling Act of 2026” requires the mandatory display of black octagonal food warning labels on the front of packaged foods and beverages–including ultra-processed products–that exceed the limits set for sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. Subsequently, any product that will bear food warning labels shall be totally prohibited from all forms of marketing, especially those targeted to children. 

 

Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay sponsored the said bill filed on Wednesday, in time for World Obesity Day.

 

“Bilang isang masugid na health advocate na nababahala sa patuloy na paglobo ng mga may kaso ng noncommunicable diseases, isang paraan ito upang maging mas malinaw ang impormasyon para sa ating mga kababayan, mas magkaroon ng responsableng marketing ng mga produkto, at mas mabigyan ng kakayahan ang bawat Pamilyang Pilipino na pumili ng mas masustansya at ligtas na pagkain,” said Nisay.

 

The HPA’s lead convenor and former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan said in full support, “Families need to know when their food can potentially harm their own and their children’s health. We aim to help them be wiser so they can find healthier solutions, improve their diet, and prevent NCDs like obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.”

 

Galvez Tan continued, “We urge more legislators to be champions for the health of every Filipino, especially the youth. Implement strong food policies first, like food warning labels, so that behavior change for health follows.” 

 

The Diabetes Philippines, a member organization of the HPA, also urged the immediate passage of the bill. 

 

“Filipinos of all ages should not face difficulties when they try to understand complex nutrition labels that should help them select better options. Grocery shoppers need to make their purchasing decisions within a few seconds according to common shopping behavior. With simple information placed on the front of the package, consumers can quickly decide if the product is a healthy choice and if it is truly worth spending their money on,” said Jennina Duatin, Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian and Board of Trustee of Diabetes Philippines.

Duatin further stated that establishing a national policy for mandatory front-of-pack food warning labels protects public health, as the rise of diabetes and NCDs among Filipinos highlights the urgent need for medical care. 

“For many patients, managing their condition means being careful about how much sugar, sodium, and fats they consume every day. Food warning labels provide a clear visual reference which helps them identify and avoid foods that could worsen their condition,” she emphasized.

 

The HPA underscored that prioritizing health promotion is a high-return public investment that can significantly curb NCDs, ease the burden on the health care system, and strengthen population health outcomes.

 

The 2023 National Nutrition Survey showed that 5 in 10 (57.1%) adult Filipinos aged 20 to 59 are either overweight or obese, making them more vulnerable to develop other NCDs. NCDs are the top culprits to close to 70% of all deaths in the Philippines and are costing the economy more than P680 billion every year due to loss of productivity and workforce. 

In photos: Congressman Jett Nisay files House Bill 8284 alongside HPA co-convenor Ralph Degollacion

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