Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3875 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISASTER FOOD 
BANK AND STOCKPILE FOR EVERY PROVINCE AND HIGHLY URBANIZED 
CITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2024, six consecutive natural disasters have had a staggering impact on 14.3 million 
people. There have been 174 reported deaths, 148 injuries, and 25 missing persons. Over 
1.4 million individuals have been displaced, and 315,777 houses have been damaged, 
with 36,000 completely destroyed. Affected communities are now facing urgent 
shortages of safe water, sanitation, food, and healthcare.1 
Although Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Act of 2010, is already in place, there remain crucial gaps that must be addressed to strengthen 
disaster preparedness. In the aftermath of a typhoon, recovery often takes several days, with 
access to food and water consistently emerging as the primary concern. Families typically rely 
on basic relief food packs for sustenance. 
In response to similar challenges, several Southeast Asian countries have adopted public 
stockholding systems. This approach aligns with the fact that the region is home to both major 
producers and consumers of rice, which is Asia’s staple grain. For example, Indonesia has 
established a clear state policy on food reserves under its Food Law of 2012. This law mandates 
a public food reserve system structured across multiple levels, from national government stocks 
down to reserves at the provincial, regency/city, and village levels.2 Malaysia also 
demonstrates the use of privately held stocks for national food security, through the rice trading 
1 Philippines, Asia Pacific | Typhoons and Floods (2024).  
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-asia-pacific-typhoons-and-floods-operation-update-
2-mdrph056
2 Briones, Roehlano M., Public Stockholding in Southeast Asia, Review and Prospects, available at
http://www.fao.org/ fileadmin/templates/est/meetings/stocks/Briones_public_ 
stockholding_in_southeast_asia.pdf, accessed in January 26, 2015
August 20, 2025
1:14 pm


company BERNAS. In this system, BERNAS manages the National Rice Stockpile not only 
as a food security measure but also as a tool for stabilizing market prices.3 
Creating strategic stockpiles has become a practical way to ensure the immediate and 
dependable availability of basic necessities, at least in the short term. Moreover, given the 
country’s exposure to severe weather events, geological hazards, and the worsening effects of 
climate change, there is a pressing need to further strengthen disaster preparedness and 
response strategies. 
 This bill seeks to institutionalize the prepositioning and efficient mobilization of 
essential food and non-food supplies in strategically located stockpiles to guarantee 
immediate relief and humanitarian support to families affected by natural disasters and 
emergencies. The stockpiles will be stored in secure, disaster-resilient facilities and 
jointly overseen by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 
3http://www.bernas.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:nati
onal-stockpile&catid=48 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3875 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISASTER FOOD 
BANK AND STOCKPILE FOR EVERY PROVINCE AND HIGHLY URBANIZED 
CITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile 
Act”. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. –  It is the policy of the State to protect the people from the 
adverse effects of calamities and emergencies by ensuring the continuous, immediate, and 
adequate supply of essential goods and materials. The State shall promote self-sufficiency and 
reduce dependence on foreign sources for such supplies, in accordance with Article II, Section 
9 of the Constitution, which mandates the promotion of a just and dynamic social order and the 
provision of adequate social services. 
To this end, the State shall ensure the strategic prepositioning of food, water, and other essential 
goods in all provinces and highly urbanized cities, and shall promote local agriculture and 
livelihood by prioritizing the procurement of locally produced goods for the Disaster Food 
Bank and Stockpile established under this Act. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act: 
(a) “Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile” or “Stockpile” refers to a central repository
and reserve of food, water, medicines, vaccines, antidotes, critical medical supplies, and 
other essential goods, including but not limited to portable power sources, first aid kits, 
portable light sources, clothing, tents, and communication devices, intended for disaster 
response and recovery operations.  
(b) “Structure” refers to the calamity-proof warehouse or facility housing the
Stockpile. 
(c) “Highly Urbanized City” refers to a city classified as such under existing laws.


 
Section 4. Establishment of Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile. – There shall be 
established in every province and highly urbanized city a Disaster Food Bank and 
Stockpile, which shall serve as the central repository and reserve of essential goods for 
disaster response and recovery. The establishment of Stockpiles shall prioritize island 
provinces or regions, coastal provinces, earthquake-prone provinces, provinces with 
active volcanoes, and other high-risk areas, subject to the availability of funds and 
logistical capacity. 
 
Existing government warehouses and structures used for storing and prepositioning 
relief goods may be converted or upgraded to serve as Stockpiles, provided they meet the 
minimum standards set under this Act. Contiguous provinces and highly urbanized cities 
may temporarily share a Stockpile in the absence of suitable facilities. 
 
Section 5. Management and Supervision. – The Stockpile shall be jointly managed and 
supervised by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) 
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with 
the following agencies:  
(a) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);  
(b) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);  
(c) Department of Agriculture (DA);  
(d) Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and  
(e) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).  
 
Section 6. Location and Confidentiality. — The NDRRMC shall determine the actual 
locations of the Stockpiles, considering equitable distribution, accessibility, safety, 
security, and strategic mobilization. The locations shall be kept confidential and disclosed 
only to authorized personnel, consistent with national security and disaster response 
protocols. 
 
Section 7. Structure and Standards. –  Each Stockpile shall be housed in a calamity-proof 
structure designed and constructed by the DPWH, in accordance with the following 
minimum standards:  
 
(a) Structural integrity to withstand Category 5 typhoons, high-magnitude 
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storm surges;  
(b) Sufficient capacity to store supplies for the entire population of the province 
or city for at least three (3) weeks;  
(c) Use of sustainable energy sources, with backup power systems;  
(d) Security measures against unauthorized access, theft, and looting;  
(e) Vermin-proofing, insulation, fire resistance, and fire safety equipment. 
 
Sec. 8. Stockpile Contents, Quantity, and Replenishment.. - The Stockpile shall contain 
non-perishable food items with a shelf life of at least two (2) years, potable water, 
medicines, vaccines, critical medical supplies, and other essential goods. The quantity and 


volume shall be regularly monitored and maintained, with replenishment and 
replacement conducted at least annually or as necessary. 
 
A computerized inventory system shall be established for real-time monitoring of 
expiration dates and shelf life. Unused goods remaining after twelve (12) months shall be 
distributed to indigent communities through DSWD programs. 
 
The stockpiling and regular replenishment of supplies shall be spearheaded and 
facilitated through the coordinated efforts of the DSWD, DTI, DA, and DOST, with the 
following guidelines:  
 
  
a) The DSWD shall:  
 
 
1) Update the institutionalized and standard contents of their family food 
pack (FFP) and devise each FFP to contain all regular necessities such as 
rice, canned goods, basic medication, water, and ready-to-eat meals, 
including the locally processed and produced products of the local farmers 
and micro-producers of the respective provinces/ localities; and 
 
2) Make use of the fund allocation for the procurement of FFPs to purchase 
the collated products of the local farmers and micro-producers.  
 
b) The DA, through their Provincial Directors, shall organize all farmers and micro-
producers in their respective provinces and facilitate the production and purchase of 
their local produce. They shall ensure that the demand for raw materials and agricultural 
produce are equitably distributed among all farmers and micro-producers in the locality.  
 
c) The DTI, through their Provincial Directors, shall facilitate the purchase of non-
agricultural products, such as clothing, shelter materials, essential equipment, and other 
essential goods from local suppliers and producers.  They shall ensure that the demand 
for such products is equitably distributed among all suppliers and producers in the 
locality. 
 
d) The DOST, through their Provincial Directors, shall facilitate the processing of all 
agricultural and non-agricultural raw materials and products into preserved goods or 
ready-to-eat meals, as well as the procurement or production of water filtration devices 
and systems to be stocked into the Stockpile. The DOST shall likewise ensure that the 
processed food packs and products do not expire for at least two (2) years.  
 
In the stockpiling process, the DWSD and the DILG, through their Regional Directors, shall 
provide the DA, DTI, and DOST the necessary data such as the number of beneficiaries 
per barangay, municipality, city or province, and other necessary information to make 
sure that the raw materials to be procured and the stocks to be processed will be 
sufficient for all constituents for at least three (3) weeks following a calamity.  
 
During the initiation and replenishment of stockpiling processes, the DILG and the DSWD 
shall monitor any change in the number of beneficiaries to make the necessary 


adjustments in the process of procurement of raw agricultural and non-agricultural 
goods and stockpiling.  
 
Section 9. Utilization and Deployment. –  In the event of any calamity, the NDRRMC and 
the DSWD shall initiate the use and deployment of the stocks in the Stockpile. Any order 
of utilization and deployment shall be accompanied with a time-specific plan for the 
replenishment and replacement of the withdrawn supplies.  
 
The NDRRMC, through the local councils, shall issue an order, memorandum, or circular 
to access and distribute the goods in the Stockpile. They shall likewise facilitate the 
provision of adequate local transportation from the Stockpile to the affected barangays.  
The DSWD and the DILG shall identify the areas affected and coordinate with the 
NDRRMC for the system of utilization, deployment, and distribution of goods in the 
Stockpile: Provided, That the same shall be efficient and immediate.  
 
A first-in, first-out system or any similar arrangement shall be adopted in the utilization 
and deployment of the Stockpile. Items and materials that will be near their expiration 
dates or the end of their shelf-life shall be donated and transferred to the appropriate 
government agencies and institutions such as the DSWD, the Department of Health, 
government hospitals and local government units for immediate distribution to indigent 
citizens or other beneficiaries as may be identified by the concerned agency or institution, 
subject to immediate replenishment and replacement and reservation  
for imminent calamities or emergencies.  
 
Section 10. Prepositioning of the Stockpile . – The NDRRMC may preposition Stockpile 
goods in secure structures near areas predicted to be affected by disasters, prioritizing 
island municipalities, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), and 4th to 
5th class municipalities. Prepositioned resources in non-DSWD facilities shall be 
governed by a Prepositioning Agreement. 
 
Section 11. Annual Report. – The NDRRMC shall submit an annual report to the Office of 
the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives within the first quarter of 
each year, detailing the implementation of this Act. Confidentiality of Stockpile locations 
shall be maintained. 
 
Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC, in consultation with the DSWD, DPWH, DTI, DA, DOST, 
DILG, and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
Section 13. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the concerned 
departments and agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued 
operation and maintenance of the Stockpiles shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
Section 14.  Separability Clause. –  If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.  


 
Section 15.  Repealing Clause. –  All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
 
Section 16.  Effectivity. –  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,