NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2860
..,1 /■';' 
■" o.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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
Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Act of 2010 mandates, among others, the institutionalization of 
arrangement and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate 
risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels1. As 
defined therein, "disaster preparedness" includes activities as contingency planning, 
stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for 
coordination, evacuation and public information, and associated training and field 
exercises.
Several countries have set up and maintained national stockpiles over the years 
in order to ensure that food and essential supplies are available2 as seen in the 
following examples: Singapore Food Agency and the Agri-Food and Veterinary 
Authority of Singapore to diversify food sources, the United States' Strategic National 
Stockpile of medical supplies and Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency which 
maintains different stockpiles from fuel to medicine and food3.
1 Republic Act No. 10121, Section 2 (e)
2 https://reference.nlb.gov.sg/guides/business/eiobal-economv/stockpiling/
3 Ibid.


Following the global supply chain disruptions triggered by the pandemic, armed 
conflicts, and other trade uncertainties, establishing stockpiles have become a rational 
response to guarantee immediate and reliable supply of basic necessities, at least for 
a short-term period. In addition, considering the country's vulnerability to severe 
weather disturbances, geologicai phenomena, and adverse effects of rapidly changing 
climate, disaster preparedness and response strategies must be further enhanced.
This measure aims to institutionalize the effective mobilization and 
prepositioning of food and non-food items at strategic areas to ensure urgent relief 
and humanitarian assistance for families displaced by natural calamities and 
emergencies. We also do not want a repeat of what happened during the raging health 
crisis when the country did not have enough domestic inventory of personal protective 
equipment (PPE) which could have halted the spread of the disease early on and could 
have saved lives. The proposed stockpile shall be housed in a calamity-proof and 
secure structure/warehouse and shall be jointly managed by the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD).
The passage of this legislation is hereby endorsed.
GGPY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 2860
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Disaster Food Bank
2 
and Stockpile Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to protect
4 
the people from the adverse effects of calamities and emergencies by ensuring
5 
continuous, immediate and adequate supply of essential items and materials and
6 
preventing whenever possible the dangerous and costly dependence of the Philippines
7 
on foreign nations and organizations for supplies of such items and materials and the
8 
country's vulnerability to production and supply-chain disruptions.
9 
Article II, Section 9 of the Constitution declares that "the State shall promote a
10 
just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the
11 
nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
12 
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of iiving, and an improved quaiity
13 
of life for all."
14 
These policies and principles shall be upheld and promoted by ensuring supply
15 
of food, water and other essential goods during calamities through strategic


1 
prepositioning of the same in all provinces and highly urbanized cities of the
2 
Philippines.
3 
In achieving the same, the implementers shall likewise promote agriculture,
4 
livelihood, and income generation for local producers by using the agricultural
5 
products of the locality for the supplies to be stored in the Disaster Food Bank and
6 
Stockpile established under this Act.
7 
Sec. 3. Establishment of Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile. - A Disaster Food
8 
Bank and Stockpile, hereinafter referred to as the Stockpile, shall be established as
9 
central repository and supply reserve of food, water, medicines, vaccines, antidotes,
10 
and other critical medical supplies, and other essential goods such as portable power
11 
source, first aid kits, portable light source, clothing, tents, and communication devices
12 
for every province and highly urbanized city of the Philippines, intended for basic and
13 
augmentation support along disaster response and recovery operations: Provided,
14 
That such items and materials shall be non-perishable or shall have a shelf life of at
15 
least two (2) years for food items: Provided, further. That if simultaneous
16 
establishment of the same in all provinces and highly urbanized cities is impracticable
17 
due to financial and logistical considerations, priority shall be given to island provinces
18 
or island regions, coastal provinces, earthquake-prone provinces, provinces with a
19 
highly active volcano, and other similarly situated provinces: Provided, furthermore,
20 
that existing warehouses and structures used by the government in storing and
21 
prepositioning food and non-food items during calamities may be converted or
22 
upgraded into a Food Bank and Stockpile in accordance with the minimum standards
23 
set under this Act: Provided, finally, that contiguous provinces and highly urbanized
24 
cities may temporarily share Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile among each other, in
25 
the absence of readily available land or structures which meet the specifications set
26 
under this Act.
27 
Sec. 4. Management and Supervision of the Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile.
28 
- The Stockpile shall be jointly managed and supervised by the National Disaster Risk
29 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare
30 
and Development (DSWD). The expertise and cooperation of the following agencies
31 
shall likewise be required for the full and efficient implementation of this Act:
32 
1) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);


1 
2) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
2 
3) Department of Agriculture (DA);
3 
4) Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and
4 
5) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
5 
Sec. 5. Location of the Stockpile. - The NDRRMC shall determine the actual
6 
locations of the Stockpile, taking into consideration equitable distribution among the
7 
regions of the country, accessibility, safety and security from natural and human-
8 
induced disasters, and the strategic mobilization and immediate release of the
9 
stockpile in case of a disaster or an emergency. The actual locations shall be kept
10 
strictly confidential and shall not be publicly disseminated.
11 
Sec. 6. Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile Structure. - Every Stockpile shall be
12 
housed in a calamity-proof structure or warehouse, hereinafter referred to as the
13 
Structure, to be designed and constructed by the DPWH.
14 
Said Structure shall be designed with the following specifications and
15 
considerations:
16 
a) The Structure shall be able to withstand Category 5 typhoons, high
17 
magnitude earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storm surges;
18 
b) The size and volumetric capacity of the Structure shall be sufficient to hold
19 
supplies of food, water, essential goods, and other basic necessities for the
20 
whole population of the province for at least three (3) weeks;
21 
c) The Structure shall be powered using sustainable sources such as solar,
22 
wind, or hydro-electric power, and shall have backup power in case of power
23 
outages;
24 
d) Measures shall be taken to ensure that the Structure is secure from
25 
unauthorized access, thievery, and looting. Limited and secure access
26 
granted to the officials in charge of its maintenance and replenishment shall
27 
likewise be included in the design; and
28 
e) The Structure shall be vermin-proof and well-insulated and designed to be
29 
fire-resistant and fully equipped with fire distinguishers in case of fires
30 
resulting from electrical fault, accident or arson.
31 
Sec. 7. Quantity and Replenishment of the Stockpile. -The quantity and volume
32 
of the Stockpile shall be strictly and regularly monitored and maintained.


1 
Replenishment, replacement, and addition to the Stockpile shall be done on an annual
2 
basis or as often as may be deemed necessary. Pursuant to this, a computerized
3 
system for the real-time monitoring of the date of expiration and sheif-life of the items
4 
and materiais in the Stockpile shall be set up to avoid unnecessary wastage and decay.
5 
If after the lapse of twelve (12) months from any instance of stockpiling, the
6 
remaining unused goods in a Stockpile shall be distributed by the DSWD to the indigent
7 
communities through any of their programs.
8 
The stockpiiing and regular replenishment of supplies shail be spearheaded and
9 
facilitated through the coordinated efforts of the DSWD, DTI, DA, and DOST, with the
10 
following guidelines:
11 
a) The DSWD shall:
12 
1) Update the institutionalized and standard contents of their family food
13 
pack (FFP) and devise each FFP to contain all regular necessities such
14 
as rice, canned goods, basic medication, water, and ready-to-eat meals
15 
including the locally processed and produced products of the local
16 
farmers and micro-producers of the respective provinces/localities; and
17 
2) Make use of the fund allocation for the procurement of FFPs to purchase
18 
the collated products of the local farmers and micro-producers.
19 
b) The DA, through their Provincial Directors, shall organize all farmers and
20 
micro-producers in their respective provinces and facilitate the production
21 
and purchase of their local produce. They shall ensure that the demand for
22 
raw materials and agricultural produce are equitably distributed among all
23 
farmers and micro-producers in the locality.
24 
c) The DTI, through their Provincial Directors, shall facilitate the purchase of
25 
non-agricultural products, such as clothing, shelter materials, essential
26 
equipment, and other essential goods from local suppliers and producers.
27 
They shall ensure that the demand for such products is equitably distributed
28 
among all suppliers and producers in the locality.
29 
d) The DOST, through their Provincial Directors, shall facilitate the processing
30 
of all agricultural and non-agricultural raw materials and products into
31 
preserved goods or ready-to-eat meals, as well as the procurement or
32 
production of water filtration devices and systems to be stocked into the


1 
stockpile. The DOST shall likewise ensure that the processed food packs
2 
and products do not expire for at least two (2) years.
3 
In the stockpiling process, the DSWD and the DILG, through their Regional
4 
Directors, shall provide the DA, DTI, and DOST the necessary data such as the number
5 
of beneficiaries per barangay, municipality, city or province, and other necessary
6 
information to make sure that the raw materials to be procured and the stocks to be
7 
processed will be sufficient for all constituents for at least three (3) weeks following a
8 
calamity.
9 
During the initiation and replenishment of stockpiling processes, the DILG and
10 
the DSWD shall monitor any change in the number of beneficiaries to make the
11 
necessary adjustment in the process of procurement of raw agricultural and non-
12 
agricultural goods and stockpiling.
13 
Sec. 8. Utilization and Deployment of the Stockpile. - In the event of any
14 
calamity, the NDRRMC and the DSWD shall initiate the use and deployment of the
15 
stocks in the Stockpile. Any order of utilization and deployment shall be accompanied
16 
with a time-specific plan for the replenishment and replacement of the withdrawn
17 
supplies.
18 
The NDRRMC, through the local councils, shall issue an order, memorandum or
19 
circular to access and distribute the goods in the Stockpile. They shall likewise facilitate
20 
the provision of adequate local transportation from the Stockpile to the affected
21 
barangays.
22 
The DSWD and the DILG shall identify the areas affected and coordinate with
23 
the NDRRMC for the system of utilization, deployment, and distribution of goods in
24 
the Stockpile: Provided, That the same shall be efficient and immediate.
25 
A first-in, first-out system or any similar arrangement shall be adopted in the
26 
utilization and deployment of the Stockpile. Items and materials that will be near their
27 
expiration dates or the end of their shelf-life shall be donated and transferred to the
28 
appropriate government agencies and institutions such as the DSWD, the Department
29 
of Health, government hospitals and local government units for immediate distribution
30 
to indigent citizens or other beneficiaries as may be identified by the concerned agency
31 
or institution, subject to immediate replenishment and replacement and reservation
32 
for imminent calamities or emergencies.


1 
Sec. 9. Prepositioning of the Stockpiie. - In preparation of the occurrence of a
2 
disaster or calamity that can be reasonably predicted using available technology or
3 
Information, the NDRRMC shall preposition items and materia is from the Stockpile in
4 
secured Structures near the areas expected to be affected by the disaster or calamity.
5 
The following areas are the priority for prepositioning of food and non-food
6 
items: 1) Island municipalities; 2) Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas
7 
(GIDA) or Hard to Reach Areas; and 3) 4th to 5th class municipalities.
8 
All relief resources prepositioned in the strategic areas not owned by the DSWD
9 
shall be subject to the provisions of a Prepositioning Agreement between the DSWD
10 
and its partner organization.
11 
Sec. 10. Annuai Report. - The NDRRMC shall submit to the Office of the
12 
President, the Senate of the Philippines, and the House of Representatives, within the
13 
first quarter of every year, an annual report relating to the progress of the
14 
implementation of this Act. The confidentiality of the locations of the Stockpile shall
15 
be observed in the Annual Report.
16 
Sec. 11. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from
17 
the effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC, in consultation with the DSWD, DPWH, DTI,
18 
DA, DOST, and other relevant government agencies, shall issue the necessary rules
19 
and regulations for Its effective implementation.
20 
Sec. 12. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation
21 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the
22 
departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be
23 
included In the annual General Appropriations Act.
24 
Sec. 13. Separabiiity Ciause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
25 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
26 
full force and effect.
27 
Sec. 
14. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
28 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
29 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
30 
Sec. 
15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
31 
publication in the Officiai Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,