The Pasig City Council recently passed an ordinance that regulates the marketing of foods and beverages high in fats, sodium, and sugar in schools and other places frequently visited by children. This marks a significant step in protecting Pasigueño children from the harmful impact of food marketing, and diet-related obesity.
Dubbed the “Healthy Food Environment Ordinance,” the ordinance prohibits the promotion of unhealthy food within educational establishments and surrounding areas. This ordinance builds on the city’s policy banning the sale of unhealthy food and drinks inside schools, ensuring a healthier environment for students.
Councilor Roderick Mario “Eric” Gonzales, the main author of the ordinance and the chairperson of the Pasig Committee on Health Sanitation and Nutrition, emphasized before the Sangguniang Panlungsod that this will help the community to build a healthy food environment and improve health outcomes.
“Ang bawat Pasigueño ay mahihikayat na pumili ng masustansyang alternatibo na makakatulong sa pagpapatibay ng kalusugan at pag-sustain ng malusog na kapaligiran,” Coun. Gonzales said.
The ordinance applies to all public and private preparatory, elementary, and secondary schools, playgrounds, amusement parks, and other child-centered spaces in Pasig City.
Curbing overweight and obesity
A study by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) highlights the urgency of this measure, as about one in five school-age children aged five to 10 years in Pasig City is obese or overweight.
Research from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that 85% of food advertisements within 500 meters of 30 primary schools in Manila are for unhealthy food.
Regulating the marketing of food in and around schools will reduce children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertising that discourages them to eat fresh and whole foods. This also empowers parents and teachers to instill better dietary choices and healthy habits among children.
Additionally, the ordinance prohibits sponsorships from companies that sell food and beverages that are not allowed to be marketed to children in schools and other educational establishments. This restriction extends to media, event organizers, celebrities, and venue owners to ensure that school environments remain free from unhealthy food promotions.
“As children’s second home, schools play a crucial role in shaping their health and well-being. Ensuring a school environment that supports healthy behaviors is key to ensuring long-term health,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of public interest law group ImagineLaw, the city government’s partner in healthy food policy advocacy.
“We laud the Pasig City Government for championing this health initiative and hope that its leadership inspires more cities to enact measures that prioritize children’s health through similar policies,” San Luis added.
Read Pasig Ordinance No. 20 series of 2025 here.
