Robredo seeks passage of bill banning softdrinks in schools

MANILA, Philippines - Reps. Leni Robredo of Camarines Sur and Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands are pushing for the immediate passage of a bill that bans soft drinks and other sugar-laden drinks in schools and require canteen operators to provide free potable water to protect the health of school children.

The lawmakers filed House Bill 4021 on Wednesday or the proposed Healthy Beverage Options Act of 2014 accompanied by 10-year-old Daniel Gatmaytan who has been campaigning to ban soft drinks in schools.

“Academic studies have shown that there is nothing healthy about carbonated soft drinks or soda,” Robredo and Bag-ao said in their measure. “Soft drinks contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, phosphorus and carbon acids, which have harmful effects on the body.”

“It is the responsibility of the State to protect our children from exposure to harmful substances. The sale of beverages that pose serious health risks can be curbed under the State’s police power,” they said.

Under the bill, the following beverages are banned in schools: soft drinks, sports drinks, punch, iced tea and fruit-based drinks that contain less than 50 percent real fruit juice or that contain additional sweeteners as well as drinks containing caffeine, excluding low-fat or fat-free chocolate milk.

On the other hand, beverages such as fruit-based drinks that contain at least 50 percent fruit juice and do not contain additional sweeteners; water and seltzer, and low-fat or fat-free milk, including chocolate milk, soy milk, rice milk and other dairy and non-dairy calcium-fortified milks are to be sold in schools.

The bill also mandates schools to provide potable water for free to students and personnel.

The lawmakers cited several scientific studies that consistently showed the harmful effects of sodas and other sugary drinks, including diabetes, kidney diseases, brittle bones, tooth decay, obesity, anxiety, hyperactivity, heart disease and even DNA damage and cancer.