MANILA, Philippines - Selling of junk foods in public and private schools is now banned in Valenzuela City.
The city council passed the ordinance titled "An ordinance mandating all educational institutions, commercial establishments, food vendors within the City Valenzuela to promote nutritious food beneficial to the health and general well-being of students."
The ordinance also requires the city health department, city nutrition council and local school board to make a list of products considered as junk foods to be avoided by students. The said departments will also release a list of recommended healthy food for students which will posted in food establishments outside schools.
Public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) that will not follow the ordinance will receive a warming letter from the legal officer of the city health office. The division superintendent will conduct an investigation once a school continues to neglect the ordinance after receiving a warning.
Private schools, concessionaires, commercial establishments and vendors that will not implement the ordinance shall pay an amount of P5,000 fine if proven.
Councilor Rovin Feliciano proposed the junk food ban to ensure that students will consume healthy food, which is also a concern of Mayor Rex Gatchalian.
A study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) showed that National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest rate of malnourished children from 10 to 19 years of age. This follows the fact that junk foods are more accessible for students in NCR.