Analysis of the political and technical process of the quillota municipal ordinance for health promotion [análisis del proceso técnico político de la ordenanza municipal para promoción de salud de quillota]

With the aim of improving the health of the community and given national and international recommendations to combat obesity and its consequences, in 2017, the Municipality of Quillota enacted a Health Promotion Ordinance to promote healthy food environments and physical activity practices. The ordinance is not specifically detailed, nor are the difficulties in establishing such local regulations described. Thus, this study intended to analyze the technical and political processes that generated this ordinance, which may serve as an example for other municipalities. The information collection was made through interviews, focus groups, and participatory dialogues, using a qualitative, exploratory, and retrospective design. Actors mapping and lessons learned analysis, considering barriers and facilitators found, was conducted. The results show that the ordinance consolidation presented a challenge to the decision-making management at the technical and empowerment levels. Lessons learned include favorable political scenarios, a competent technical team, and strong cross-sectoral articulation. Two key factors were the municipal authorities’ resolution and nego-tiation with opposition sectors. Active community participation was a point of complex implementation.