Baguio: Serving healthy food at city government events and meetings will be mandatory starting September 19 following the publication of an ordinance aimed at creating a healthier food environment in the city. 'With the ordinance, no public funds should be spent on unhealthy food. We expect this to have a positive impact on noncommunicable diseases in Baguio,' City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ordinance, passed in March, is intended to complement other city measures addressing the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and obesity among adolescents, adults, and senior citizens. Brillantes highlighted the city's 2025 morbidity report, which showed hypertension, upper respiratory infection, and diabetes as the leading illnesses recorded, with hypertension accounting for 12,775 cases.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2025, followed by neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus. The city health officer emphasized that the healthy food ordinance is part of broader efforts to tackle lifestyle-related diseases.
'If you remember, we also came up with a program that encourages walking, which was also intended to address the lifestyle diseases. With this healthy eating program of the city government, we hope to see another difference in the health situation of our residents,' Brillantes remarked. The city has also implemented a smoke-free ordinance, which Brillantes noted helped reduce the number of smokers.
Under the healthy food policy, food served at city events should be low in sugar, salt, and fat, and high in fiber. Purchasing officers are encouraged to read food labels as a practical guide when selecting food. Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a separate interview, urged national government agencies and private-sector organizations to adopt similar measures and work with the city in promoting the health of workers and clients.
Brillantes identified lifestyle factors, including lack of physical activity, unhealthy food intake, and vices, as contributors to the city's health concerns. She stressed that local health ordinances play an important role in improving community nutrition and aiding residents in making healthier lifestyle choices.
