Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Quezon City, Metro Manila ar ss a
iN
‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO._4240

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
RENAMING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY COUNCIL INTO THE
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE,
Food security is central to national stability and resilience. It is not only about
production, but also about the capacity to manage stocks, imports, distribution, trade, and price
stabilization, particularly in times of shocks.

The National Food Authority (NFA) Council, as the governing board of the NFA under
Presidential Decree No. 1770 and related issuances, has historically performed key policy
functions such as approving buffer stock levels, setting procurement and pricing policies for
rice and corn, reviewing import and export programs, and supervising divestment requirements

in the grains industry.

However, food security challenges today are broader than the commodity-specific
scope envisioned when the NFA Council was created. They involve climate disruptions, global
price volatility, nutrition gaps, and disaster risks. To meet these challenges, it is necessary to
strengthen the Council’s mandate, broaden its membership, and explicitly position it as the
government's highest policy-making body on food security.

This bill therefore renames the NFA Council as the National Food Security Council
(NFSC), expands its powers to include food security threat assessments and the formulation of
a National Food Procurement Plan, ensures transparency in stock and import decisions, and

aligns its mandate with the country’s development planning and disaster resilience frameworks.


By elevating the NFA Council into the NFSC, this measure creates a whole-of-
government, shock-responsive institution that can ensure stable, affordable, and nutritious food

for all Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4240

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
RENAMING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY COUNCIL INTO THE
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “National Food Security
Council Act.”

SEC. 2. Renaming of the NFA Council, The National Food Authority Council created
under Presidential Decree No. 1770 is hereby renamed as the National Food Security Council
(NFSC).

SEC. 3. Mandate, The NFSC shall be the highest policy-making body on food security.
It shall oversce national strategies on food production support, procurement, importation,
buffer stocking, distribution, trade, nutrition, and resilience to shocks, in coordination with the
National Food Authority and other relevant agencies.

SEC. 4. Composition. The NFSC shall be composed of the following:

(a) The President of the Philippines, or a duly designated representative, as Chairperson

(b) The Secretary of Agriculture, as Vice Chairperson

(©) The Secretary of Finance

(d) The Secretary of Trade and Industry

(e) The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development,

() The Secretary of Health

(g) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources


(h) The Secretary of Science and Technology

(i) The Secretary of the Department of Development Planning (DepDev)
(j) The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

(k) The Administrator of the National Food Authority

() Two representatives from farmers’ and consumers’ groups, appointed by the
President

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. The NFSC shall exercise the following powers and
functions:

(a) Formulate and approve national food security policies and guidelines, consistent
with the Philippine Development Plan;

(b) Determine annual buffer stock levels and procurement strategies for strategic
commodities;

(c) Prepare and annually approve a National Food Procurement Plan, integrating local
procurement, imports, and the requirements of social protection and feeding
programs;

(4) Review and recommend to the President strategic import and export policies for
rice, corn, and other critical food commodities, including volumes, schedules, and
tariff adjustments;

(e) Establish and maintain a Food Security Threat Assessment System to monitor risks
arising from climate shocks, disasters, global supply disruptions, and domestic
production shortfalls;

(®) Recommend to the President emergency measures in times of shortage, including
the release of reserves, tariff adjustments, or emergency procurement and
importation;

(@ Ensure transparency by requiring the publication of quarterly food balance sheets,
buffer stock positions, and major procurement and importation decisions, subject to
safeguards for market-sensitive information;

(h) Supervise compliance with nationality restrictions and divestment provisions in the
rice and com industry under existing laws, and recommend appropriate measures
to safeguard national interest;

(i) Approve the corporate operating budget, borrowing authority, and major contracts
of the National Food Authority, consistent with food security objectives; and

(j) Perform such other policy-making and advisory functions as may be necessary to
safeguard national food security in times of stability or shock.


SEC. 6, Secretariat. The National Food Authority shall serve as the Secretariat of the
NFSC, providing technical, administrative, and research support.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. The amounts necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the National Food Authority.
‘Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the NFSC shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and issuances
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. L1. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,