TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
ii! til.-
25 AUG-4 PI 38
RECElVcD BV
S. No.
822
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF PHILIPPINE 
CULINARY HERITAGE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Culinary tradition is an integral part of the Philippines' cultural heritage. Food 
serves not only as nourishment but as a powerful expression of Filipino identity by 
telling the story of the nation's history, values, and way of life. Despite the diverse 
culinary practices across regions, food remains a unifying element that brings Filipinos 
together.
The preservation and promotion of Filipino culinary heritage involve a broad 
spectrum of stakeholders, spanning the sectors of agriculture, tourism, culture, and 
the arts, and the local and national economy.
To preserve our culinary heritage and promote sustainable food security in the 
country, this bill seeks to provide the necessary support for agriculture and fisheries, 
especially for small farmers and urban gardeners, to promote traditional cooking 
methods using heirloom ingredients, as well as to conduct food heritage and regional 
culinary identity mapping alongside identifying and recording tangible culinary 
resources using geographic tools.
The proposed measure will also establish the Committee on Philippine 
Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage, which will be responsible for the formulation and 
promulgation of policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development.


enrichment, propagation, promotion, and preservation of Filipino cuisine, Filipino 
culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to strengthen and deepen the understanding and 
appreciation of our cultural identity through food heritage.
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 822
Senate
®ttur pi Ji!!' Si"
25 AUG-4 PI 38
RECEIVED S
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
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:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Culinary
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Heritage Act"
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism
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and nationalism among the people, especially through the educational system, and to
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celebrate the culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures
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that will elevate its value and prestige.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a. Filipino cuisine-refers to the cuisines of the different ethnolinguistic groups
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or regions in the country.
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b. Culinary heritage - refers to the recipes or dishes that forefathers or
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ancestors used to cook or make, incorporating the origins of food-related
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activities of a cultural group or region
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c. Heirloom - refers to a valuable object that has belonged to an entity
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for several generations.
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d. Heirloom food- refers to a horticultural variety that has survived for several
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generations. May refer to a vegetable, fruit, or legume that was commonly


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grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not widely
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cultivated in large-scale agriculture.
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e. Gastronomy- refers to the study of the relationship between food, culture,
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and tradition of a certain area, the art of preparing and serving rich or
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delicate and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and
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the science of good eating.
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f. Regional cuisine- refers to a specific cuisine based on local regions.
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Regional cuisines may vary based upon food availability and trade, varying
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climates, cooking traditions and practices, and cultural differences.
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g. EthnoUnguistic regions- refer to certain geographical areas where
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particular groups of people speak a common language or culture.
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h. Disciplines- refer to various fields of learning.
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i. Culinary mapping- refers to a systematic approach of identifying and
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recording culinary resources and the food needs of geographical areas or
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communities, using geographic information systems to support a more
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rigorous evidence-based approach to planning culinary heritage
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preservation and gastronomic tourism.
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j. Gastro diplomacy- refers to concerted and sustained campaigns of public
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relations and investment by the government often in collaboration with non-
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state entities, to increase the value and standing of their nation's brand
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through food.
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Sec. 4. Establishment of a Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary
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Heritage. - The Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage shall be
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established under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
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The Committee under the NCCA, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the
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Constitution, shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
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a. Formulate policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development,
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enrichment, propagation, promotion, 
and preservation of Filipino cuisine,
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Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy;
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b. Promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines to implement its policies,
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plans, and programs;


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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;
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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;
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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;


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k. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department of Foreign
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Affairs to increase the efficiency of gastro diplomacy campaigns of the
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country;
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I. Formulate and adopt guidelines, standards, and systems for monitoring and
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reporting on its performance at the national, regional, and local levels; and
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submit to the Office of the President and Congress an annual progress
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report on the implementation of its policies, plans, and programs;
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m. Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, its officials and
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employees and such other personnel as are necessary for the effective
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performance of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; and dismiss them
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for a cause;
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n. Organize and reorganize the structure of the Committee, create or abolish
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positions, or change the designation of existing positions to meet the
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changing conditions or as the need therefore arises; Provided, that such
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changes shall not affect the employment status of the incumbents, reduce
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their ranks, decrease their salaries or result in their separation from the
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service; and
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0. Perform such other activities which are necessary for the effective exercise
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of the abovementioned powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities.
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Sec. 5. Culinary Mapping. - Concerned agencies, such as the Department of
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Education, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology,
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and the Department of Tourism shall conduct food heritage mapping to promote,
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preserve and raise the awareness among Filipino people of the importance of culinary
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heritage and tradition preservation. To this end, the concerned agencies shall identify
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and record tangible culinary resources making use of geographic tools. It shall also
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conduct regional culinary identity mapping, taking into consideration geography, the
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food culture of indigenous people; foods and cooking techniques; and economic
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viability and providing evidence of regional cuisine.
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Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00)
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is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial
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implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the


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implementation of this Act shall be appropriated under the NCCA as a distinct and
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separate item.
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, all concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules
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and regulations of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
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remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,