“La Union bans sale, distribution of alcoholic drinks to minors”
Manila Bulletin reports:
“The provincial government of La Union is enforcing a ban on sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages to minors as well as consumption in public and private settings with exemption.
The provincial council approved Provincial Ordinance No. 498-2025 titled “An Ordinance to Protect Minors and the Public from Alcohol-Related Harms by Regulating Access, Marketing, and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Providing Penalties, Intervention Measures, and Appropriations.”
The ordinance posted on Tuesday states it aims to “safeguard minors from the physical, mental, and social harms associated with alcohol consumption; ensure that parents, guardians, and establishments exercise their duty to prevent access to alcohol by minors; and regulate the sale, marketing, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in order to minimize exposure of both minors and the public to alcohol-related harms.”
Other articles on the same topic
“La Union bans sale, distribution of alcoholic drinks to minors” (Philippine News Agency)
Assessment
Provincial Ordinance No. 498-2025 represents a significant step toward evidence-based alcohol governance in this province of the Philippines. By introducing common-sense limitations to access, marketing, and availability, La Union’s framework closes many of the gaps that allow minors to be exposed to alcohol use and promotion.
ImagineLaw played a key role by providing technical assistance during committee hearings, refining the ordinance’s structure and language, and strengthening its scope to include prohibitions on sale, distribution, marketing, and falsification of age.
ImagineLaw is a public interest law group working for people’s health and welfare. They are bringing together lawyers and advocates to work with governments, civil society, and communities for evidence-based policy solutions to enable all people to live healthy and meaningful lives. ImagineLaw is a partner of the RESET Alcohol initiative in the Philippines.
Their contributions helped ensure that the law’s title, purpose, and provisions clearly centre on protecting minors and preventing alcohol harm.
Although La Union is not a RESET pilot province, its initiative demonstrates how evidence-based guidance and advocacy partnerships can drive evidence-based local alcohol policy progress.
