Image 1. The House Committee on Health during its deliberation of the bills Protecting Filipinos from Harmful Effects of Trans-Fatty Acids (House Bills Numbered 1485, 2548, 4379, 4737, 5099, and 6341);

Image 2. Hon. Ciriaco B. Gato, Jr, Chairperson of the House Committee on Health facilitating the meeting

01 FEBRUARY 2023-- The House Committee on Health of the House of Representatives conducted its initial hearing to re-deliberate the bills Protecting Filipinos from Harmful Effects of Trans-Fatty Acids (House Bills Numbered 1485, 2548, 4379, 4737, 5099, and 6341) during its regular meeting last February 01, 2023, via hybrid modality- at the Speaker Nograles Hall, South Wing Annex, House of Representatives, and via zoom platform.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) was notified and directed to attend the meeting by the Office of the Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through a memorandum which was received by PCA last January 31, 2023.

The Trade and Market Development Department (TMDD) was instructed by Deputy Administrator Roel Rosales of the Operations Branch (OB) to attend the meeting, hence TMDD personnel attended virtually to be updated on the status of the bills considering that PCA, through TMDD, already submitted a position paper through the Department Legislative Liaison Office (DLLO) of DA last early 2021.

Ms. Rosella B. Villaruel of TMDD informed the body about PCA’s support to the bills, but sought the revision of the definition of ‘Healthy alternative oils, fats, and oilseeds’ in the bills, specifically removing the phrase ’with low-level of saturated fatty acids’, as it excludes coconut oil as a healthy alternative oil, considering that its composition contains both unsaturated and saturated fatty acids with a higher level of saturated fatty acids (~92%). It was emphasized that the saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are mainly Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) such as lauric acid which has health benefits, as supported by several studies, including the study on the helpful effects of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) in providing rapid relief of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and rapid decrease in the level of C-reactive protein in the blood, among others.

PCA through the Trade Information and Relations Division (TIRD) of TMDD, shall submit its official position paper to the Committee with supporting studies on the health benefits of coconut oil with its MCFAs to be used as reference to the proposed revision.