The Philippines’ public health advocates voiced support for the Quezon City government after a public consultation on 17 December on a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing alcohol-related harms, which could become the country’s first comprehensive local policy of its kind.
In a statement, the advocates said the proposal adopts the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFER technical package, an evidence-based framework to reduce alcohol-related injuries, violence, and health risks. Unlike existing local measures such as sales bans or curfews, the ordinance seeks wider regulation covering alcohol availability, age of access, consumption, and marketing.
ImagineLaw project manager Reina Fabregas said the measure responds to the continued occurrence of alcohol-related harm in the Philippines and shows the city’s focus on public health and safety.
Alcohol use has been linked to preventable injuries and disease nationwide. A 2022 study found that intoxication increases the risk of driver injury and death, while an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2024 report identified alcohol as the country’s third leading risk factor for disease burden.
Philippine Heart Association (PHA) representative Rodney Jimenez said lowering alcohol consumption at the community level could help reduce cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) National Institutes of Health researcher Katherine Ann Reyes said the proposal shows how local governance can encourage healthier lifestyles by regulating both alcohol availability and marketing.
The proposed ordinance also covers tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, and includes penalties and funding for enforcement. Advocates said they are ready to support Quezon City as the measure moves toward passage and implementation.
Source: PNA
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