SENATOR Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid filed a measure that seeks to establish a healthy food and beverage program for public elementary and secondary schools and learning institutions to promote healthy diet among learners and teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Lapid’s bill aims to address the worsening problem on child obesity and malnutrition among Filipinos.

In filing Senate Bill 1231 or the proposed Healthy Food and Beverage in Public Schools Act, he said that healthy eating plays an important role in learning and cognitive development. Lapid cited several studies that showed that children who do not get adequate nutrients experience more difficulty in learning, leading to lower academic test scores.

“Maraming mga pag-aaral na ang nagpapakita na ang mga estudyante na hindi nakakakuha ng sapat na nutrisyon ay nahihirapang mag-pokus at matuto, na kadalasan ay humahantong sa mababang mga marka, o ‘di kaya naman, ay may posibilidad na huminto sa pag-aaral,” Lapid said.

“Kung atin pong titiyakin na mayroong sapat na akses ang mga mag-aaral sa mga pagkain na may mataas sa nutritional value, ay masisiguro natin na maitataas natin hindi lamang ang antas ng kalusugan ng mga mag-aaral, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang performance sa eskwelahan,” he added.

Under the bill, the sale, distribution and promotion of junk food and sugary drinks will be prohibited inside and 100 meters from the perimeter of all public educational institutions.

“Itong ating isinusulong na programa ay hindi lamang naglalayong bawasan ang mga kaso ng obesity at malnutrisyon sa ating bansa at mapabuti ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral, ito rin ay naglalayong bumuo ng magagandang mga gawi o habit na madadala nila sa kanilang pagtanda,” Lapid said.