.:-;<, 
“ I ’ i E  
. I  .,,. I .. 
OfFgi 
~;-$; 
SECRETAKf 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
7 JUl- -2 
7 
:[:‘I 
S E N A T E  
C\t:.CFtVED EW ’ I 
Senate Bill No. 3 6 0 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Rice is the staple food of every Filipino and is at the core of the country’s 
agricultural development thrust. In view of the central role that this staple food 
plays in the life of every Filipino, it underscores the need to provide for 
contingency measures to ensure the adequate supply of rice for all. 
This legislative measure thus provides for a mechanism whereby national 
rice reserves will be maintained in order to cushion the impact of a rice shortage 
during periods of national emergency. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended 
(-Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
7 JLiL -2 'i,; :(! 
Senate Bill No. 3 6 0 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING EMERGENCY RICE RESERVES AND 
FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Emergency Rice 
Reserves Act of 2007". 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to ensure an adequate supply of rice at reasonable and affordable process for 
the people in times of calamities. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
(a) 
Calamities are fortuitous event which include act of God such 
as but not limited to typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquakes, 
fires, volcanic eruption, lahar flows, and acts of man such as 
political and/or civil disturbances, and wide-spread civil unrest; 
and 
Emergency Rice Reserve is the inventory or stock of rice 
andlor palay by the National Food Authority (NFA), equivalent to 
the 15-day average national daily rice consumption to be 
maintained as a matter of national policy. 
SEC 4. Management. In order for the National Food Authority (NFA) to 
effectively perform the functions and responsibilities provided for in this Act, it 
shall: 
Maintain and manage a government rice reserve equivalent to 
fifteen (15) days of the national rice consumption for the current 
year and determine the location and distribution of such stocks 
into depots nationwide. 
(1) 


(3) 
Procure stock from small farmers and farmers' cooperatives and 
import only under abnormal conditions determined through 
consultation with all affected sectors unless directed otherwise 
by the President: Provided, That, the quality of the imported rice 
shall be regular milled rice, thirty-five percent (35%) brokens, or 
better; Provided further, That in all or part of the initial reserve is 
imported, NFA will have the option to release the imported 
stocks at a price that will allow it to procure locally its equivalent 
volume in palay form to maintain the fifteen (15) day rice 
reserve. 
Release to the market said government rice reserve upon the 
declaration of a state of calamity by the President of the 
Republic of the Philippines; Provided That such declaration 
shall specifically state that NFA rice reserve is to be released to 
the market upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the 
Department of Agriculture; Provided further, That the release 
price of said rice shall be based on the prevailing market price 
immediately prior to the occurrence of the calamity. 
SEC 5. Refill of Emergency Rice Reserve. The NFA shall ensure that 
rice stocks are refilled in accordance With the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 6. Appropriations. There shall be appropriated from the funds of the 
National Treasury a seed money of P4 Billion for its initial operations and 
constituted into a revolving fund held in trust by NFA used for funding 
replenishment and as a depository for funds obtained from the salelmonetization 
of food security stocks. Thereafter, all such amounts as may be necessary for the 
continued operation of said Fund which shall include the maintenance and/or 
increase of the Food Security Rice Reserve, shall be automatically appropriated 
in the General Appropriations Act as approved by Congress. 
SEC 7. Monitoring and Review; The NFA shall regularly review and 
assess the national palay and rice situation and, on the bases of the data and 
information collected, prepare a report to be submitted to the Office of the 
President and to both Committees on Agriculture of Congress. 
SEC 8. Implementing Rules and Regulation. The NFA shall, within sixty 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act. 
SEC 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act be deemed 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
in force and effect. 
SEC I O .  Repealing Clause. All acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders and administrative orders, rules and regulations, and other such issuance 
or parts of thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SEC 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,