Lawmakers and health experts are urging Congress to pass new laws against hypertension. One in three Filipino adults lives with high blood pressure, according to the 2025 World Health Organization report.
Only 19% of the 16.8 million affected Filipinos have their condition under control. This leaves millions at risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Jovy Buelva, a hypertensive patient from Marikina City, faces constant worry. “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,” she said.
Dr. Alejandro Diaz of the Philippine Society of Hypertension said the government must act. “Hypertension is preventable, but prevention must be institutionalized. It cannot depend on individual willpower alone. It requires urgent national action,” he stated.
Legislators are championing two bills to address this crisis. The Front-of-Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) Bill mandates clear nutrition labels on food. The Healthy Food Environment (HFE) Bill restricts marketing for products with warning labels. More than 80 lawmakers now support these measures.
Rep. Kathryn Gorriceta, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Health, called the legislation a lifeline. “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,” she said.
Rep. Giselle Maceda emphasized the impact on the youth. “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,” she noted.
Rep. Percival Cendaña added that food needs better transparency. “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,” he said.
Medical groups echo these calls. Dr. Iris Garcia of the Philippine Heart Association warned against further delays. “Delay is no longer acceptable hypertension is preventable, and prevention begins with environments that support health, and not undermine it,” she said.
Atty. Sophia San Luis of ImagineLaw called for immediate legislative action. “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,” she said.
You click here to sign the petition online. Users can also download the “Pagkain Check” app to track nutrition from Google Play or the Apple Store.
