Clear labels, honest marketing: solons target hypertension’s silent toll

In the Photo. (From left to right) Atty. Sophia San Luis of ImagineLaw, Dr. Alejandro Diaz of Philippine Society of Hypertension, Atty. Nathaniel Oducado, Representative Kathryn Gorriceta, and Taytay Municipal Councilor Tobit Cruz holding the signed petition. Standing behind them are representatives of the Healthy Food Environment Coalition, including the Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina, Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes, Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Philippine Society of Nephrology, Philippine Heart Association, and the Quezon City Health Department

Amid political upheavals in Congress, public health advocates warn that health must not be sidelined.

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Hypertension Report (2025), one in three Filipino adults aged 30 to 79 lives with hypertension. Of the 16.8 million affected, only 19% have their condition under control, leaving millions vulnerable to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.

Behind these statistics are real people who are at risk of dying early or living with complications and their costs for the rest of their lives.

Jovy Buelva, a hypertensive patient from Marikina City, described the daily fear of living with hypertension: “There’s anxiety at every BP screening, fear during episodes of chest pains, headaches, and weakness, and the constant stress of never-ending maintenance treatment.”

Medical experts echoed this reality, stressing that hypertension is not inevitable but preventable if the government acts decisively. Dr. Alejandro Diaz of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) emphasized that prevention must go beyond individual effort:

“Hypertension is preventable, but prevention must be institutionalized. It cannot depend on individual willpower alone. It requires urgent national action.”

Members of the House of Representatives have responded to this call by championing the Front-of Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) Bill, which mandates clear nutrition labels on prepackaged food, and the Healthy Food Environment (HFE) Bill, which restricts the marketing of products with warning labels. Both measures are recognized by the WHO as best-buy interventions for curbing noncommunicable diseases. As of May 2026, a total of 22 versions of the HFE Bill and 4 versions of the FOPWL Bill have been filed, supported by more than 80 legislators—signaling that legislation for food environment reform is closer than ever to becoming law.

Among its champions is Rep. Kathryn Gorriceta, principal author of House Bill (HB) no. 8416 and Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Health. She urged colleagues to put disease prevention at the center of policy, stressing that the bill is not just another proposal but a lifeline for Filipino families.

“Prevention must be our priority in addressing hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases. By passing the HFE Bill, we can protect households from disease before it strikes, spare families from the lifelong burden of maintenance medicines, and ensure every Filipino has the chance to live healthier, longer lives,” Rep. Gorriceta said.

The urgency, however, is not only about protecting households today but also about shielding the nation’s future. Rep. Giselle Maceda, principal author of HB no. 6166 and Vice Chairperson of both Committees on Health and Welfare of Children, highlighted the long-term impact of the bill:

“Safeguarding the health of our children is safeguarding the nation’s future. More than reducing long-term healthcare costs, the HFE Bill also ensures that the next generation grows up free from the burden of preventable diseases.”

Younger voices in Congress are also pressing for accountability from the food industry. Rep. Percival Cendaña, principal author of HB 6834, delivered a sharp reminder that lifestyle changes alone cannot solve the crisis.

“Gaya sa love, ang pagkain, dapat may label. Para alam natin kung keri pa o major red flag na. Dapat lagyan ng front-of-package warning labels ang mga pagkaing mataas sa sugar, sodium, at unhealthy fats.”

Building on this call, Dr. Iris Garcia of the Philippine Heart Association underscored that hypertension, the leading risk factor for heart disease, demands urgent policy action.

“Delay is no longer acceptable. Hypertension is preventable, and prevention begins with environments that support health, and not undermine it,” Dr. Garcia said.

Atty. Sophia San Luis of ImagineLaw highlights the urgency of enacting this bill: “Failing to act now means failing to save Filipinos from a preventable disease. We urge Congress to seize this momentum to pass the HFE Bill to build a future where healthier living is within everyone’s reach.”