SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
FIRSt REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2176 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'14 
MAR 24 ruo :03 
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS BUY PINOY, BUILD PINOY 
MONTH TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO PRIORITIZE 
THE PURCHASE AND UTILIZATION OF FILIPINO PRODUCTS, LABOR AND 
SERVICES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
While we often hear the saying 'Tangkilikin ang Sariling Atin", we normally take 
it for granted and/or seldom do we actually put the same into practice. This is maybe 
because there is actually no effective and concerted efforts yet on the part of the 
government and stakeholders to bring the benefit of this practice to the consciousness 
of. the consuming public. 
Needless to say, patronizing our own Filipino products 
strengthens the Philippine economy. 
With the Asean Economic Community (AEC) 2015 just around the corner and the 
advent of goods from other ASEAN countries will start proliferating our country 
(expectedly more than what we are used too), it is submitted that practicing the wisdom 
of "Tangkilikin ang Sariling Atin" by Filipinos becomes even more relevant. 
The bill, introduced by Rep. Neri Colmenares in the House of Representatives 
this 16th Congress, proposes to declare the month of November every year as "BUY 
PINOY, BUILD PINOY Month" to inculcate in each Filipino the wisdom of supporting our 
very own Filipino made products, and in the process, give due recognition to Filipino 
producers, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 
MSMEs are a vital component to the development of our nation's economy. 
They account for 99.6 % of registered businesses in the Philippines and employ over 
67% of the Filipino labor force 1. 
Therefore, it is imperative that we empower our 
resourceful Filipino entrepreneurs in order to promote their development and 
competitiveness for the upcoming AEC 2015. As vital pillar of the Philippine economy, 
MSMEs definitely have strong potentials. to grow and significantly contribute to job 
generation, national development and economic advancement. 
The BUY PINOY, 
BUILD PINOY concept could be a part of the welcome initiatives to help our MSMEs 
thrive as we move forward towards progressive economic growth. 
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is recommended. 
Ar-j;; 
~E~OU;;CYN~ 
1 From the Department of Trade and Industry Website, Link: www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php?]F321 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2176 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'14 
MAR 24 
AJO :03 
RECElI.'E;[) B\:_ r 
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS BUY PINOY, BUILD PINOY 
MONTH TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO PRIORITIZE 
THE PURCHASE AND UTILIZATION OF FILIPINO PRODUCTS, LABOR AND 
SERVICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy 
Month Act." 
SEC. 2. State Policy. - In line with the Constitutional mandate of the State to develop a 
self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos (Article 
II, Section 19) and to promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic materials 
and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them competitive 
(Article XII, Section 12), it is the policy of state to promote the growth and development 
of Filipino entrepreneurs, especially those involved in micro, small and medium 
enterprises (MSMEs) as defined by Republic Act 6977 as amended by Republic 
Act 8289 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and'Medium Enterprises. 
SEC. 3. Declaration of Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month. - The month of November of 
every year is hereby declared as "Buy Plnoy, Build Pinoy Month" in recognition of the 
important role and contribution of the MSME sector to the Philippine economy and to 
enhance the opportunities of these enterprises to grow and significantly contribute to job 
generation, national development and economic advancement. 
SEC. 4. Observance of Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month. - To ensure the meaningful 
observance of "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month" as herein declared, all heads of 
government offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled 
corporations, as well as local government units, and employers in the private sector, 
shall encourage and afford sufficient resources, time and opportunities for MSMEs to 
engage and participate in any and all activities to mark the month. 
1 


a) 
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall be the lead agency for 
the implementation of this Act. The activities under this act shall be included in 
the annual work program and action agenda of the Micro, Small and Medium 
Enterprise Development Council. 
b) 
Activities for the Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month shall include MSME trade 
fairs, 
bazaars, 
marketing 
missions, 
information 
dissemination 
activities, 
education and advocacy campaigns, and similar events featuring Filipino 
products, manufactures, inventions, technologies and resources and shall be 
conducted in all national government agencies as well as cities and 
municipalities in the country. 
c) 
A National Trade Fair shall be held for at least two (2) weeks in 
Novermber of every year with the participation limited to Filipino producers, 
service providers, and products, Provided, That the said Fair shall be held 
simultaneously in locations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 
d) 
The Philippine Information Agency, in coordination with the OTI, shall 
formulate and implement a nationwide information and advocacy campaign for 
the Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month activities. 
e) 
The private sector is encouraged to conduct similar initiatives as those 
enumerated in this Act. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after publication in 
the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2