A SENATOR has filed a bill that seeks to ban junk food and sugary drinks in public schools, citing worsening obesity and malnutrition among young Filipinos.
Senator Manual “Lito” M. Lapid’s Senate Bill 1231 or the Healthy Food and Beverage in Public Schools bill will ban the sale, distribution and promotion of junk food and sugary drinks inside and within 100 meters from all public schools.
This would promote a healthy diet and positive eating environment for learners and school staff, he said, adding that healthy eating is critical to learning and cognitive development.
“Many studies have shown that students who do not get enough nutrition have difficulty concentrating and learning, which often leads to low grades and even dropouts,” Mr. Lapid said in Filipino. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan