Quezon city: Public health advocates have expressed strong support for the local government of Quezon City following a public consultation for a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing alcohol-related harms, which could become the country’s first comprehensive local measure of its kind.
According to Philippines News Agency, the advocates highlighted the significance of the proposed ordinance for adopting the World Health Organization’s SAFER technical package-an evidence-based framework designed to reduce alcohol-related injuries, violence, and health risks. Unlike other local government units that have imposed alcohol-related restrictions such as sales bans and curfews, the Quezon City proposal seeks broader regulatory coverage, including availability, age of access, consumption, and marketing.
Reina Fabregas, project manager of ImagineLaw, commended the city government for prioritizing public health and safety. “This ordinance is a strong response to the persistent occurrence of alcohol-related harms in the country,” she said. Alcohol consumption has been linked to preventable injuries and diseases in the Philippines, with a 2022 study highlighting increased risks of driver injury and death due to alcohol intoxication. An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2024 report by Movendi International also identified alcohol as the country’s third leading risk factor for disease burden.
Dr. Rodney Jimenez of the Philippine Heart Association emphasized that reducing alcohol consumption at the community level could help prevent cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks. Meanwhile, Dr. Katherine Ann Reyes, research assistant professor and program lead of the Health Promotion Program at the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health, pointed out that the proposed ordinance demonstrates how governance can promote healthier lifestyles by regulating both alcohol availability and marketing.
The advocates reaffirmed their readiness to support Quezon City in the next stages toward the passage and implementation of the proposed ordinance. The Quezon City government conducted a public consultation on the proposed ordinance that aims to protect the health and well-being of QCITIZENS, especially children and youth. It targets regulating the sale, distribution, advertising, and consumption of harmful substances, specifically tobacco products (including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco) and alcohol. The ordinance imposes penalties for violations and allocates funds for enforcement to reduce the risks associated with these products.
