Author/s : Hon. Jefson Romeo B. Felix
DATE PROPOSED / SUBMITTED:
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Letter Date: August 10, 2026
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Draft Date: August 8, 2026
ORDINANCE SUMMARY :
This proposed ordinance establishes objective, proportionate, and verifiable nutritional standards for all food and beverages procured, served, distributed, or officially provided using public funds in Naga City. Drafted in response to the veto of previous ordinances (Ordinance Nos. 2026-078 and 2026-079), this measure aims to advance preventive health—targeting noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues—while ensuring transparent procurement, protecting fair competition, supporting MSMEs and local livelihoods, and avoiding subjective or retroactive penalties.
ORDINANCE HIGHLIGHTS :
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SCOPE & COVERAGE: Applies to all City-funded activities, official provisions, welfare food distributions, barangay-funded/school-linked activities utilizing city funds, and sponsored/donated food accepted by the city. Private retail sales and ordinary private consumption are explicitly excluded.
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DEFAULT BEVERAGE STANDARD: Potable Drinking Water is mandated as the default beverage and must remain visibly available whenever beverages are officially provided.
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PROHIBITED BEVERAGES: Energy Drinks and alcoholic beverages are strictly banned from city-funded procurement, official provisions, welfare packages, and product sampling under any circumstance (no exceptions apply).
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ADDED SWEETENERS RESTRICTION: Sweetened beverages (those with added caloric or non-caloric sweeteners) do not qualify for routine official provision. Routine beverages are restricted to water, plain milk, plain soy beverages, fresh buko water, unsweetened coffee/tea (for adults 18+), and 100% fruit juice (max 250 mL).
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PREPARED MEAL STANDARDS: Complete routine meals must contain defined minimum portions of a staple (e.g., rice, bread, root crops), a protein source (e.g., fish, meat, eggs, tofu), vegetables, and a fruit portion.
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WELFARE & EMERGENCY PACKAGES: Food packages under welfare, Christmas, nutrition, or emergency distributions are categorized systematically (Schedules A–C) to guarantee nutritional balance, proper shelf-life (typically 90–180 days for prepackaged goods), and required cold-chain standards for perishables.
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FAIR NOTICE & OBJECTIVE VERIFICATION: To prevent arbitrary rejections, all requirements, portions, and verification rules must be objectively verifiable and disclosed in advance in the procurement and governing documents. Laboratory testing or standard nutrition labels are not required for traditional/local MSME products unless mandated by law.
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EXCEPTIONS & OPERATIONAL READINESS: Strict, documented exceptions are allowed for medical/therapeutic needs, emergencies, traditional/cultural/Christmas festive occasions, and verified supply disruptions. Furthermore, a mandatory Joint Operational Readiness Report and a 180-day transition period prior to full mandatory enforcement are built into the ordinance.
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NO SEPARATE PENALTIES: The ordinance explicitly states it does not create a separate criminal offense, monetary fine, or administrative sanction, leaving enforcement to existing Civil Service, procurement, or auditing rules.
- Proposed