Republic of the Philippines uy NOVe1 8
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pn
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18% Congress Moe ss
First Regular Session /nDEX &

HOUSE BILL NO. 582 Q

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Grounded on the Constitutional prescription that the “State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them,” this bill seeks to specifically address the monitoring and implementation of
food safety standards in all schools with a school canteen or any other eatery that
caters food to students. Consequently, it mandates the employment of Home
Economics, or other similar and analogous courses or degrees, graduates in schools
to exact such accountability from school canteen owners and operators in the
country.

Food safety as a policy issue in schools cannot be understated, especially in
cases where food sold or made available in schools results in food poisoning and
unhealthy physical and mental wellbeing.

Just recently, or in July this year, forty (40) Junior High School students
reportedly suffered from food poisoning prompting the local government to
suspend classes and the Department of Education (DepEd) to reiterate stricter food
safety monitoring pursuant to its Department Order (DO) No. 8, series of 20072

While it is true that Republic Act (RA) No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of
2013 subsists, special focus on schools is strongly proposed. Needless to state,
schools are the primary learning centers of our youth where they are molded both
physically and mentally. Local Government Units (LGUs) exclusively tasked to
monitor and implement food safety standards in school canteens require assistance
in deference to the already numerous tasks on local governance.

It is submitted that to exact adherence to the government's policy on food
safety standards, especially in school canteens, it is proposed that RA No. 10611 be

* Section 15, Article II, Constitution,
2 DepFd pushes for stricter food safety standards in school canteens by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, 13,
July 2019, Manila Bulletin

<? RECEIVED

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amended with a provision solely intended to school canteens by mandating the
employment of Home Economics, or other related and analogous courses, graduates
in schools to ensure not only the compliance but monitoring as well of statutorily
mandated food safety standards.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18% Congress
First Regular Session

5520
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS IN SCHOOLS
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 OF REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10611

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 14, paragraph (a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10611 is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 14. Specific Responsibilities of Food Business Operators. - Food
business operators shall have the following responsibilities under this
Act:

(a) Food business operators shall be knowledgeable of the specific
requirements of food law relevant, to their activities in the food supply
chain and the procedures adopted by relevant government agencies
that implement the law. They shall adopt, apply and be well informed
of codes and principles for good practices. Micro and small industries
shall be assisted to facilitate their adoption of such practices. SCHOOL
CANTEENS SHALL EMPLOY THE SERVICES OF HOME
ECONOMICS, OR OTHER RELATED AND ANALOGOUS COURSES,
GRADUATES TO ENSURE MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE OF
FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS IN SCHOOLS WHERE THEY
OPERATE,”

Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education in coordination with
the Department of Healthx shall promulgate the corresponding implementing rules
and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from the date of its effectivity.


Section 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette,
whichever comes first.

Approved,