Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 818 9
Introduced by HON. NICANOR M. BRIONES
Rapreseritatiue, AIGAP Putty List
EXPLANATO RY NOTE
Given  the  challenges  in  achieving food  security in  the  country,  it is
lamentable to hear reports about farmers disposing or dumping their harvests
in ravines or vacant lands.  These farmers are constrained to dispose their
produce after being unable to sell them in their local markets, rather than
spend over and above for transportation to other municipalities or provinces
while market prices for their produce are low.
This problem could have been resolved if only there are adequate post-
harvest  and  cold  storage  facilities  available  and  accessible  to  farmers.
However, based on the submitted list of licensed cold storage warehouses in
the country for 2023 by the Bureau of Plant Industry to the House Committee
on Agriculture and Food, the distribution of cold storage facilities in provinces
are not proportional and inadequate. An onion farmer from Mindoro voiced
out during the  Senate hearing on onion importation that there is only one
cold storage facility in their province. Worse, some cold storage facilities are
located tens of kilometers away from the farms. It was also reported that the
space allocation on cold storage facilities are often already reserved by traders.
Farmers are then left with no storage space for their harvests.
The  1987  Constitution,  through Article XIII  Section  5,  mandates  the
State to provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and
research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support
services.
This  bill  is  therefore  filed  to  ensure  the  availability  of cold  storage
facilities for farmers in every province. Further, this bill aims to help ensure
food supply by making every cold storage facility accessible,  available,  and
exclusively allotted to legitimate farmers. Through this bill, it is hoped that
farmers will be encouraged to continue cultivating our lands, food waste be
reduced, and food security be achieved.


With  the  foregoing  premises  considered,  the  approval  of this  bill  is
earnestly sought.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No.  816 9
Introduced by HON. NICANOR M. BRIONES
Represeritatiue, AGAP PulF List
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING FOOD SECURITY COLD STORAGE FACILITY FOR
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN EVERY PROVINCE IN THE COUNTRY
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it erracted by the Sencl;te cnd, House Of Represeritatives Of the Philippines in
corvgress assembled:
SECTION   1   SJtort  "t!c  o/ Act.   -  This  Act  shall  be  known  as
"Agricultural Cold Storage Facility in Every Province Act of 2023".
SEC. 2. DeczanaLtiorL o/PoZzcg/. The State recognizes the importance of
food security in ensuring the well-being of its citizens. To this end, the State
declares it as a policy to establish cold storage facilities in every province of
the country to preserve perishable agricultural products,  and improve food
security. The State recognizes that cold storage facilities play a crucial role in
reducing  food  waste,   ensuring  a  steady  supply  of  fresh  produce,   and
maintaining food safety. The State further recognizes that the establishment
of cold storage facilities can improve the efficiency of the food supply chain,
support local farmers, and increase the availability of agricultural goods.
It is hereby declared that the State shall provide the necessary support
to  establish  and  operate  cold  storage  facilities  in  every  surplus-producing
local government units in all provinces of the country. The State shall promote
the use of cold storage facilities by farmers and food processors to ensure the
preservation and safety of perishable agricultural goods and ensure the well-
being of the people.
S;BC. 8. EstabtisTunrueut Of Food Security Coin Storage Factufles fior
Agricttztz4raz Jfrodrcts Zn E(Aer!/ Pnoutrice.  - There shall be established at
least one food security cold storage facility center for agricultural products in
every province in the country in order to ensure the preservation and safety
of perishable  agricultural products,  such  as  crops,  fruits,  vegetables,  and
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meat and improve food security.
Existing structures that would meet the minimum requirements could
be upgraded to effectively serve as food security cold storage facilities and be
designated  as  such  in  compliance  with  rules  and  regulations  set  by  the
Department of Agriculture and the local government unit concerned.
Sg;B®.  4.  Deftrrfu.g  Food  Securitg  Cold  Storage  Faciufles.  - Food
security cold  storage facilities refer to infrastmcture designed to store and
preserve perishable agricultural products,  such as crops, fruits, vegetables,
and meat, and maintain their quality and safety. These facilities are equipped
with temperature-controlled rooms, refrigeration units, and other necessary
equipment to ensure that food products are stored at the right temperature
and  conditions.  The  purpose  of  food  security  cold  storage  facilities  is  to
improve food security by reducing food waste and ensuring a steady supply
of fresh produce. These infrastructures shall utilize renewable energy, provide
water efficiency, and if possible, make use of sustainable materials.
SEX3. 5. Exctwst:ue Cold Storage Auocation to IAegitima;te Fariners.
- Each food security cold storage facility that will be established and identified
by the  LGU  under this Act  shall allocate  their total storage  area  solely to
legitimate agricultural farmers, to the exclusion of traders, who shall directly
coordinate with the provincial government regarding its use.
SEC.  6.  IfariqgemerLt  cnd  OperatiorLazizatfon.  -  The  provincial
government shall be primarily responsible for the accreditation, management,
and  operationalization  of the  food  security  cold  storage  facilities  in  their
respective   provinces.   The   Department   of  Agriculture   shall   provide   the
necessary technical and financial assistance to ensure the effective operation
of the facilities.
SEC. 7. Jlfonitoririg and Etialttation. - The Department of Agriculture
shall monitor and evaluate the performance of the food security cold storage
facilities and shall take necessary measures to ensure their effectiveness in
improving food security and reducing food waste.
SEC. 8. Jap[ementlng Agencg. -The Department of Agriculture shall
work with the local government units to establish and identify food security
cold storage facilities in every province of the country. The facilities shall be
established in a manner that will ensure their accessibility to farlners in the
area.
SEC.  9.   Jr)apzemerLt!ng Rztzes and Jtegttzattons. - Within sixty (60)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture shall, in
consultation with local government units, and other concerned government
and private agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry
out the provisions of this Act.
SEC.   10.  Appropriation.  -  The  amount  necessary  for  the  initial
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implementation to fund the construction and maintenance of food security
cold storage facilities shall be charged under the Department of Agriculture.
Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the construction of food security cold
storage facilities shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The LGU concerned shall provide for the continued maintenance, operation,
and management of the facility.
SEC.   11.  Nan-Jmpalment  Chatrse.  -Nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be
construed  as  to  diminish,  impair,  or  repeal  rights  recognized,  granted,  or
made  available  to  disadvantaged,  marginalized,  or  specific  sectors  under
existing laws.
SEC.  12.  Sepanc[b€Z€t!/ Cia"se. - If any provision of this Act shall be
held  unconstitutional  or  invalid,  the  remaining  provisions  which  are  not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repcal!ng Czattse. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and  regulations,  and  other  issuances,  or  parts  thereof,  contrary  to  or
inconsistent  with   this  Act   are   hereby  modifled,   amended   or   repealed
accordingly.
SEC.  14. EJTcctiultg. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approued,
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