BALANGA CITY — Sangguniang Panlalawigan is mulling the passage of an ordinance that will regulate selling of junk food and sugary drinks to preparatory, elementary, and high school students in Bataan.
“It is patterned after our Anti-Smoking Ordinance wherein selling of junk food and sugary drinks are prohibited inside and within 100 perimeters of the school,” Provincial Health Office (PHO) Head Rosanna Buccahan said.
PHO will provide a list of the prohibited food and drinks to affected stores.
“Some members of the Provincial Nutrition Council will be part of a Task Force responsible in the monitoring and implementation of the ordinance,” she added.
Canteen owners and vendors who will violate the ordinance will face a fine of PhP 1,000 for the first offense and PhP 2,000 for the second offense.
Violators who will commit the third offense may lead to revocation of their existing barangay or business permit.
Moreover, Buccahan also revealed that they are also mulling to pass another ordinance mandating fast food restaurants to include nutritional values in their menu.
“We will push for an ordinance that will require restaurants to post nutritional values such as the calories, fats, and sodium contents of their food,” Buccahan furthered.
The ordinances are part of Bataan’s health campaign in prolonging the life expectancy rate by reducing the causes of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.