NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE 
PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is a country blessed with a rich culinary heritage. Blessed with large 
arable lands, the country has bountiful harvest and an array of produce which is reflected with 
the different delicacies each region has to offer. More than just food, it is an important source of 
cultural pride and identity. Nonetheless, with the dawn of globalization, some traditional 
methods of cooking and Filipino cuisine are slowly diminishing in popularity with the general 
public in favor of foreign food. Thus, it is all the more necessary to protect and preserve our 
cultural heritage for future generations to come.  
Thus, this bill seeks to establish the Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Cultural 
Heritage which will be under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, that will be the 
primary agency which will develop, promote and preserve  Filipino cuisine. The Committee will 
also do research and studies about Filipino cuisine as well as institutionalize gastro diplomacy 
and culinary mapping in the country. These measures are intended to preserve and promote our 
culinary heritage, support our local produce industry and heighten food security in the country. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren Legarda, this bill 
therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the reasons stated above that the 
passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
HON. ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 
August 9, 2022
5:00 pm
3415


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF 
PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section. 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Culinary Heritage 
Act of 2022.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism and 
nationalism among the people, especially through the educational system, and to celebrate the 
culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures that will elevate its value 
and prestige. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a.
Filipino cuisine – refers to the cuisines of the different ethnolinguistic groups or
regions in the country.
b. Culinary heritage – refers to the recipes or dishes that forefathers or ancestors used to
cook or make, incorporating the origins of food-related activities of a cultural group
or region
c.
Heirloom – refers to a valuable object that has belonged to an entity for several
generations.
d. Heirloom food – refers to a horticultural variety that has survived for several
generations. May refer to a vegetable, fruit, or legume that was commonly grown
during earlier periods in human history, but which is not widely cultivated in large-
scale agriculture.
e.
Gastronomy – refers to the study of the relationship between food, culture, and
tradition of a certain area, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and
appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and the science of good
eating.
3415


 
 
f. Regional cuisine – refers to a specific cuisine based on local regions. Regional 
cuisines may vary based upon food availability and trade, varying climates, cooking 
traditions and practices, and cultural differences. 
g. Ethnolinguistic regions – refer to certain geographical areas where particular groups 
of people speak a common language or culture. 
h. Disciplines – refer to various fields of learning. 
i. Culinary mapping – refers to a systematic approach of identifying 
and 
recording culinary resources and the food needs of geographical areas or 
communities, using geographic information systems to support a more rigorous 
evidence-based approach to planning culinary heritage preservation and gastronomic 
tourism. 
j. Gastro diplomacy – refers to concerted and sustained campaigns of public relations 
and investment by the government often in collaboration with non-state entities, to 
increase the value and standing of their nation’s brand through food. 
Sec. 4. Establishment of a Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage. 
– The Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage shall be established under the 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 
The Committee under the NCCA, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Constitution, shall 
have the following powers, functions, and duties: 
a. Formulate policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development, 
enrichment, propagation, promotion, and preservation of Filipino cuisine, 
Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy; 
b. Promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines to implement its policies, plans, 
and programs; 
c. Undertake or contract research and other studies to promote the evolution, 
development, and enrichment of Filipino culinary heritage and gastronomy 
such as the implementation of culinary mapping for the entire country; 
d. Ensure the continuous conduct of the annual celebration of Proclamation No. 
469, s. 2018 or the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino / Filipino Food Month by 
being the focal implementing government agency; 
e. Formulate yearly implementation guidelines and standards for the national 
celebration and activation of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 or the Buwan 
ng Kalutong Filipino / Filipino Food Month to make sure that all activities 
are aligned to the purpose of the national celebration; 
f. Provide annual funding to government-approved regional and national 
Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino or Filipino Food Month activities as per 
Presidential Proclamation No. 469; 


 
 
g. Encourage and promote, through a system of incentives, grants, and awards, 
the writing, publication, and dissemination of gastronomic research papers 
regarding culinary traditions, practices, heirloom recipes and ingredients, and 
publication of textbooks and reference materials in various disciplines; 
h. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department of 
Education to formally integrate culinary heritage and Philippine gastronomy 
into the primary and secondary education curricula and/or subjects, such as 
but not limited to, science, civics, history, arts, and home economics 
including textbooks, primers, and other educational materials, basic & 
localized gastronomic principles and concepts; 
i. Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or any instrumentality of 
Government or any private entity, institution, or organization for cooperation 
and assistance in the performance of its functions, duties, and 
responsibilities; 
j. Conduct, at the national, regional, and local levels, public hearings, 
conferences, seminars, and other group discussions to identify and help 
resolve problems and issues involving the development, propagation, and 
preservation of Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy; 
k. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department of Foreign 
Affairs to increase the efficiency of gastro diplomacy campaigns of the 
country; 
l. Formulate and adopt guidelines, standards, and systems for monitoring and 
reporting on its performance at the national, regional, and local levels; and 
submit to the Office of the President and Congress an annual progress report 
on the implementation of its policies, plans, and programs; 
m. Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, its officials and 
employees and such other personnel as are necessary for the effective 
performance of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; and dismiss them 
for a cause; 
n. Organize and reorganize the structure of the Committee, create or abolish 
positions, or change the designation of existing positions to meet the 
changing conditions or as the need therefore arises; Provided, that such 
changes shall not affect the employment status of the incumbents, reduce 
their ranks, decrease their salaries or result in their separation from the 
service; and 
o. Perform such other activities which are necessary for the effective exercise of 
the abovementioned powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities. 


 
 
Sec. 5. Culinary Mapping. – Concerned agencies, such as the Department of Education, 
the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department 
of Tourism shall conduct food heritage mapping to promote, preserve and raise the awareness 
among Filipino people of the importance of culinary heritage and tradition preservation. To this 
end, the concerned agencies shall identify and record tangible culinary resources making use of 
geographic tools. It shall also conduct regional culinary identity mapping, taking into 
consideration geography, the food culture of indigenous people; foods and cooking techniques; 
and economic viability and providing evidence of regional cuisine. 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. – The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00) is 
hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial implementation 
of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be appropriated under the NCCA as a distinct and separate item. 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, all concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of 
this Act. 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,