HOUSE OF REPSERE!
REGEIVED
pares FF 2016
Republic of the Philippines Tw 29)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
Quezon City

8Y;,

REGISTRATION UNIT.

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
BILLS ANU INDEX SERVICE

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1625

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie”Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rice is, undoubtedly, the most important staple for the majority of Filipinos. We are rice
eaters and in fact, rice is one of our staple crops as well, aside from corn. Hence, the
market for this basic need is remarkably large such that certain scrupulous traders,
dealers, or businesses whether they are engaged in retail or wholesale of rice have
proven to have involved themselves in the production of fake rice.

As now publicly known, fake rice is reportedly made from potatoes, sweet potatoes,
plastic and materials found in pipes and cables and its sale had been reported in
countries like China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Such fake rice now
circulates in Philippine markets starting off with the reported case of Davao City.

Fake rice has given rise to certain other questionable items like fake noodles now found
in the markets. The National Food Authority and other concemed agencies have been
tasked to launch an aggressive monitoring, inspection, and surveillance of these food
items. However, this issue cannot be taken lightly given its possible health hazards
when consumed in quantities over time by many of our people who are rice eaters. The
same is true with fake noodles that are now reportedly sold as well.

The next time most people feast on their food on the table, they just might actually be
consuming poison or otherwise toxic food in terms of rice sold in the mafket for pure
profit motive and in total disregard of the health, well being, and saféty of end users.
Hence, under the proposed law, higher fines and heavier penaltiesShall be imposed on
violations of the provisions under this Act.

The immediate passage of this bill is henceforth earnestly prayed



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
625
HOUSE BILL NO. __

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie”Castelo

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE AGGRESSIVE
REGULATORY POWERS AGAINST TRADERS, DEALERS, OR BUSINESSES INVOLVED IN
FAKE FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO FAKE RICE, FAKE NOODLES,
AND THE LIKE AND IMPOSING HIGHER FINES AND HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Regulatory Control on Rice Sale
Act of 2016”.

SEC. 2. There shall herein be enforced aggressive regulatory contro! on the
sale, either retail or wholesale, of rice in all public and private markets or stores
throughout the country by the National Food Authority.

Toward this end, the National Food Authority shall be authorized to impose
higher fines and heavier penalties for traders, dealers, or business involved in the sale
of fake food products especially the case of rice to include noodles and the like.

Provided Further That, other concerned agencies may cooperate in the
identification of rice suspected of being fake or other similar food and the conduct of
appropriate laboratory tests on their possible toxic content or danger to humans when
ingested.

SEC. 3. The National Food Authority, having been authorized to exercise
aggressive regulatory control shall issue rules, regulations, guidelines, and other
issuances for the effective implementation of this Act against violations of the provisions
thereof. Provided Further That, It is hereby allowed to coordinate with other agencies of
government to carry out its prescribed authority under this Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval, publication in the Official
Gazette, and in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,