• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Child healthy zones will be established in all public and private schools, and child development centers (CDCs), across Bacolod City to promote proper nutrition and reinforce DepEd’s ban on soft drinks and unhealthy beverages in school premises.
The selling, serving, or distribution of unhealthy food and beverages in school canteens and cafeterias, and by ambulant vendors and food establishments near schools and CDCs will also be prohibited, per the Bacolod City Child Healthy Zones Ordinance already approved on third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Ambulant vendors, stationary stalls, and commercial establishments within the 50-meter perimeter of the schools and CDCs shall be prohibited from selling sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially-flavored juices, deep-fried snacks, and heavily processed foods, among others.
Violators shall be fined P1,000 and a mandatory seminar on child nutrition conducted by the City Health Office for first offense; a fine of P3,000 and suspension of the business permit or vending license for 30 days, for second offense; and P5,000 and the immediate revocation of the business permit or vending license for third and succeeding violations, the ordinance states.
The SP stressed that the city “faces a severe dual burden of malnutrition, as evidenced by national rankings among highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs) where Bacolod currently ranks 7th highest in underweight with 875 cases and 8th highest in overweight and obesity with 742 cases.”
This nutritional crisis heavily impacts local communities, with stunting notably affecting heavily-populated barangays, such as Singcang Airport, which recorded 229 cases and Alangilan with 69 cases, demonstrating an urgent need for localized interventions, the ordinance, authored by Councilor Em Ang, states.
She added that the proliferation of unregulated ambulant vendors, sari-sari stores, and commercial stalls selling sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially flavored juices, and highly processed junk food in the immediate vicinity of schools “creates a food environment that undermines the dietary habits of students, and directly contributes to these rising malnutrition statistics.”
The ordinance, co-authored by councilors Celia Matea Flor and Bobby Rojas, calls on schools and CDCs to ensure that their canteens and food concessionaires prioritize the preparation and sale of nutritious food.
Schools are highly encouraged to source fresh produce from local agricultural cooperatives and urban gardens in Bacolod to support local farmers and ensure food freshness, they added.
Children are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and non-communicable diseases linked to poor diet, the SP said and stressed the importance of creating an environment that encourages healthy eating behaviors and ensures access to nutritious food within and around educational facilities. | CGC
