MANILA, March 5 -- A lawmaker on Wednesday pushed for the passage of a measure requiring front-of-pack food warning labels and regulating child-directed food marketing to combat heart disease and childhood obesity.

In a press conference to culminate the Philippine Heart Month and World Obesity Day, Samar Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan urged the House Committees on Health and on Trade and Industry to hold hearings on the Healthy Food Marketing Environment bill before the end of the 19th Congress.

"With this bill, we ensure that Filipinos are empowered to protect their families and children from diseases," Tan said. "I urge my fellow lawmakers to support this health measure and secure better health for all Filipinos."

According to the World H...