Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Core Values are 
Respect for Human Dignity, Integrity and Service Excellence. 
As the lead agency in social welfare and development, the Department 
exercises the following functions: 
• Formulates policies and plans which provide
direction to intermediaries and other implementers in
the development and delivery of social welfare and
development services.
• Develops and enriches existing programs and
services for specific groups, such as children and
youth, women, family and communities, solo parents,
older persons and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs);
• Registers, licenses and accredits individuals,
agencies and organizations engaged in social welfare
and development services, sets standards and
monitors the empowerment and compliance to these
standards.
June 13, 2023
10:30 am
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• Provides technical assistance and capability building
to intermediaries; and
• Provides social protection of the poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged sector, DSWD also gives augmentation
funds to local government units so these could deliver
SWD services to depressed municipalities and
barangays and provide protective services to
individuals, families and communities in crisis
situation.
This House Bill seeks to supplement all poor families intake. To diminish and in 
time completely eliminate hunger. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.   


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, 
TO AID ALL POOR HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTRY, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a 
declared policy of the state to envisions all Filipinos free from hunger and 
poverty, have equal access to opportunities, enabled by a fair, just, and 
peaceful society. 
The state shall also lead in the formulation, implementation and coordination of 
social welfare and development policies and programs for and with the poor, 
vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors. 
SECTION 
2. 
COMPREHENSIVE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM – There 
shall hereby be created a comprehensive Food Stamp Program with the 
following protocol and mechanics: 
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a) There shall be benefit cards or “tap cards” loaded with 
food credits amounting to Php5,000.00. 
b) Beneficiaries can use the cards to buy a select list of 
healthy products from DSWD-accredited local retailers. 
 
c) Beneficiaries can choose from a list of different food 
groups. 
d) the program would be conditional and have a “work 
component,” signing up would need to find work to keep 
the benefits. 
e) Beneficiaries are families whose income does not go 
beyond Php8,000.00 a month. 
f) The six-month pilot run would come from grants from 
Asian Development Bank. (ADB) 
g) Thus, the regular implementation of the food stamps 
will be in place in the first quarter of 2024. 
h) The number of tap card recipients shall increase until 
the one-million target is reached continually. 
i) By 2024, the number of beneficiaries shall reach 
300,000 families, less than a third of the total target. 
 
SECTION 
3. 
INTEGRATION 
OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
AGRICULTURE (DA) – The DSWD shall integrate its planned food stamp 
program with efforts by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to expand the market 
for local farm products. 
 
This Food stamps, as proposed and executed in other countries, are actually 
agricultural programs. They aim to link rural surpluses with food-poor urban 
communities. This way, we deliver both urban poverty and rural poverty.  
 


SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DSWD shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (DSWD) 
Food Stamp Program which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President and 
to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Local Government of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD 
OF 
IMPLEMENTATION 
– The 
modernization program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial 
period of two (2) years: 
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
SECTION 
6. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION – Existing industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be 
given six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or 
such other period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements 
of this Act. 
SECTION 
7. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – 
The departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of 
this Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective 
implementation. 
SECTION 
8. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
9. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 
10. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
11. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,