QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Monday welcomed a partnership with a global network of cities to develop high-impact policy interventions targeting non-communicable diseases and injuries.
“Quezon City will actively participate in this initiative by taking all steps to ensure that the implementation plan is mutually defined and fully delivered,” Bautista said.
To jumpstart Quezon City’s effort to reduce premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases, Bautista recently signed into law an ordinance prohibiting the selling and promotion of junk food and sugary drinks to preparatory, elementary and high school students inside and within a 100-meter perimeter in public and private schools.
In a letter to Bautista, Bloomberg Philanthropies chairman Michael Bloomberg said participating cities would receive technical assistance as needed, and communication support to increase their global visibility.
“As the global ambassador of the World Health Organization for Non-Communicable Diseases, I am committed to supporting cities to achieve measurable success in non-communicable diseases and injury protection. I sincerely hope you will join this effort to reflect your leadership in promoting health and reducing premature deaths,” Bloomberg told Baustista.
According to Bloomberg, achievements gained by each of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 50 partner-cities shall be publicly recognized during the 3rd United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases in 2018.
Verdades Linga, city health officer, said Bloomberg Philanthropies shall be providing seed grants to the city government to implement Quezon City’s initiatives related to preventing non-communicable diseases and injuries.
According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases, which include, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, account for an additional 10 percent of global deaths.