Bepublic of the  Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan  Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Pegular Session
House  Bill  No.
8197
Introduced  by
SPEAKER  FERDINAND MARTIN G. POMUALDEZ
HON. YEDDA MARIE K.  ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDPE
AN ACT
DECLAFllNG THE PHILIPPINE MAHARLIKA HIGHWAY AS THE NATIONAL
FOOD   HIGHWAY,   PPOVIDING   AN   INTEGRATED   SYSTEM   FOR   THE
PPOCESSING,       STOFtAGE,       TRANSPORT,       DISTPIBUTION,       AND
IVIONITORING   OF   FOOD   PRODUCTS,   AND   APPROPRIATING   FUNDS
THEREFOF]
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Agriculture is a vital sector of the Philippine economy, employing millions
of Filipinos and contributing significantly to the country's gross domestic product
(GDP).  However,  the  sector  faces  various  constraints,  including  the  lack  of
efficient transportation  and  logistics  systems for the  timely and  cost-effective
delivery of agricultural  products to the markets.
By designating  the  Philippine  Maharlika  Highway as the  National  Food
Highway, the government can  prioritize the use of this major road  network for
the    transportation    and    distribution    of    agricultural    products,    particularly
perishable goods. This will help reduce post-harvest losses, ensure food safety
and quality,  and  promote fair pricing for both farmers and consumers.


Moreover,  the  National  Food  Highway can  serve  as  a  platform for the
development of agri-tourism and other agricultural-related businesses along the
route.   This   can   generate   more   jobs   and   income   opportunities   for   local
communities and promote the use of modern technologies and infrastructure in
the agriculture sector.
Therefore,  the  declaration  of  the  Philippine  Maharlika  Highway  as  the
National  Food  Highway is  a crucial  step towards  improving the efficiency and
competitiveness of the agriculture sector in the country.  It will help address the
challenges faced by our farmers and improve the overall welfare of the  Filipino
people.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
2


Pepublic of the  Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan  Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Pegular Session
House  Bill  No.
Introduced by
SPEAKEP  FERDINAND MARTIN a. ROMUALDEZ
HON. YEDDA MARIE K.  POMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE
AN ACT
DECLAPING THE PHILIPPINE MAHAPLIKA HIGHWAY AS THE NATIONAL
FOOD   HIGHWAY,   PROVIDING   AN   INTEGRATED   SYSTEM   FOP   THE
PROCESSING,       STOPAGE,       TPANSPORT,       DISTPIBUTION,       AND
MONITORING   0F   FOOD   PRODUCTS,   AND   APPROPRIATING   FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the F3epresentatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTloN 1. Short Ti.I/e. -This Act shall be known as the "National Food
Highway Act of 2023."
Sechiion 2.  Declaration of the Philippine Maharlika Highway as the
Iva[i-ona/ Food Hi-ghway. -The Philippine Maharlika Highway, which stretches
from  Laoag  City  in  llocos  Norte  to  Zamboanga  City  in  Mindanao,  is  hereby
declared as the National  Food  Highway.
Sectiion 3.  Definition of the National  Food  Highway. - The Nardonal
Food  Highway  refers  to  an  integrated  system  for  the  processing,  storage,
transport,  distribution,  and  monitoring  of  food  products  along  the  Philippine
Maharlika Highway.
3


Sechiion 4. Scope and Coverage of the National Food Highway. -The
National  Food  Highway shall cover the following:
(a)  Food  processing  and  storage  facilities  located  along  the  Philippine
Maharlika Highway;
(b)  Transport  and   distribution   systems  for  food   products   along   the
Philippine Maharlika Highway; and
(c)  A food  monitoring  system  to  ensure  the  safety  and  quality of food
products transported  and  distributed  along  the  Philippine  Maharlika
Highway.
Sectiion 5. Roles and Responsibilities of Government Agencies and
Sfakeho/de/s.  -  The  following  government  agencies  and  stakeholders  shall
have   the   following   roles   and   responsibilities   in   the   implementation   of  the
National  Food  Highway:
(a)Department    of    Agriculture     (DA)     shall     be     responsible    for    the
establishment and management of food processing and storage facilities
along    the    Philippine    Maharlika    Highway,    in    partnership   with    the
Department of Trade and  Industry (DTl) and the private sector. The DA
shall   also   provide   technical   assistance   to   local   farmers   and   food
producers to ensure the quality and safety of food products.
(b)  Department   of   Transportation   (DOTr)   shall   be   responsible   for   the
development and  implementation of a transport and distribution system
for food products along the Philippine Maharlika Highway, in partnership
with  the  Department  of  Public  Works  and  Highways  (DPWH)  and  the
private  sector.  The  DOTr  shall  also  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of
food products during transport and distribution.
(c)  Department of Health (DOH) shall be responsible for the implementation
of  a  food  monitoring  system  to  ensure  the  safety  and  quality  of  food
products  transported   and   distributed   along   the   Philippine   Maharlika
4


Highway. The  DOH  shall  also  provide training and technical  assistance
to   food   safety   inspectors   and   other   relevant   personnel   to   ensure
compliance with food safety standards.
(d)  Local Government Units (LGUs) shall provide support and assistance to
the implementation of the National Food Highway within their respective
jurisdictions,   including   but  not  limited   to  the   provision   of  necessary
permits,  licenses, and regulatory compliance certificates.
Sectiion 6. Creation of a Food Processing and Storage System. -The
DA,  in  partnership  with  the  DTl  and  the  private  sector,  shall  establish  and
manage food  processing  and  storage facilities along  the  Philippine  Maharlika
Highway.  These  facilities  shall  comply  with  food  safety  standards  and  shall
cater  to  the  needs  of  local  farmers  and  food  producers  for  the  processing,
storage,  and distribution of their products.
Sectiion i.  Development of a Transport and Distribution System. -
The  DOTr,  in  partnership with the  DPWH and the  private sector,  shall develop
and implement a transport and distribution system for food  products along the
Philippine  Maharlika  Highway.  This system shall  ensure the safe  and efficient
transport and distribution of food  products and shall comply with relevant laws
and regulations.
Sechiion 8. Implementation of a Food Monitoring System. -The DOH
shall  implement a food  monitoring  system to ensure the  safety and  quality of
food   products   transported   and   distributed   along   the   Philippine   Maharlika
Highway.  This system shall  include the following:
(a)  Inspection  and  monitoring  of food  processing  and  storage facilities
for compliance with food safety standards;
(b)  Regular testing  and  analysis of food  products for contaminants and
other harmful substances;
5


(c)  Monitoring    of    transport    and    distribution    systems    to    ensure
compliance with relevant laws and regulations; and
(d)  Provision   of   training    and   technical    assistance   to   food    safety
inspectors and other relevant personnel.
Sectiion 9.  Creation  of  the  National  Food  Highway  Management
Board.  -  There  is  hereby  created  a  National   Food  Highway  Management
Board, which shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act.
Sectiion    10.    Composition    of    the    National    Food    Highway
Management Board.  -The National  Food Highway Management Board shall
be composed of the following:
(a) Secretary of Agriculture or histher representative as the Chairperson;
(b) Secretary  of  Transportation  or  histher  representative  as  the  Co-
Chairperson;
(c)  Secretary of Public Works and Highways or histher representative as
a member;
(d) Secretary  of  Trade   and   Industry  or   histher   representative   as   a
member;
(e) Secretary of Health or histher representative as a member;
(f)   Three (3) representatives from the private sector, one each from the
farmers' groups, transport industry, and health industry, as members;
and
(g) One (1 ) representative from the academe or research institutions, as
a member.
Section +1.  Powers and  Functions of the National  Food  Highway
Management Board.  - The National  Food Highway Management Board shall
have the following powers and functions:
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(a)   Develop   and   implement   plans,   programs,   and   projects  for   the
efficient  and  timely  delivery  of  fresh  produce,  livestock,  and  other
agricultural products from the farms to the markets and consumers;
(b)   Establish    and    maintain    a    database    of    agricultural    products,
producers,   markets,   and   other   relevant   information   along   the
National  Food Highway;
(c)   Coordinate  with  relevant  government  agencies  and  private  sector
stakeholders for the development and improvement of infrastructure
and  logistics  systems  along  the  National  Food  Highway,  including
the  construction  of  cold  storage  facilities,  processing  centers,  and
logistics hubs;
(d)   Promote  the  use  of  modern  technologies  and   best  practices  in
agriculture   and   logistics   systems  to   improve   the   efficiency  and
competitiveness of the agriculture sector;
(e)   Develop and  implement measures to ensure the safety and quality
of   agricultural    products   transported    along   the    National    Food
Highway;
(f)    Monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act and recommend
policy  and   legislative   reforms  to   improve  the  effectiveness  and
sustainability of the National  Food  Highway; and
(g)   Perform  such  other functions  as  may be  necessary to  achieve the
objectives of this Act.
Sechiion +2. Expansion of the National Food Highway. -Expenstion Of
the  National  Food  Highway.  -The  National  Food  Highway may be expanded
to  include  the  Western  Philippine  Nautical  Highway.  Thereafter,  the  existing
National  Food highway and the Philippine Nautical Highway shall be integrated
to comprise the Philippine  Food  Loop.
This  expansion  shall  take  effect  upon  the  completion  of  the  necessary
facilities and infrastructure along the Western  Philippine Nautical  Highway.
7


Sectiion 13.  Implementation  of  a  Food  Monitoring  System.  - The
DOH shall implement a food monitoring system to ensure the safety and quality
of  food  products  transported  and  distributed  along  the  Philippine  Maharlika
Highway.  This system shall  include,  but not limited to, the following:
(a)  Inspection  and  monitoring  of food  processing  and  storage  facilities
for compliance with food safety standards;
(b)  Pegular testing  and analysis of food  products for contaminants and
other harmful substances;
(c)  Monitoring    of    transport    and    distribution    systems    to    ensure
compliance with relevant laws and regulations; and
(d)  Provision   of   training    and   technical    assistance   to   food   safety
inspectors and other relevant personnel.
Section    14.    Appropri'afi.ons.    -    The    necessary    funds    for    the
implementation   of   this   Act   shall    be   sourced   from   the   annual   General
Appropriations Act and other available funds.
Section  15.  Separab,./i.fy C/ause.  If any provision or part of this Act is
declared   invalid   or   unconstitutional,   the   remaining   parts  or   provisions   not
affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section   16.   f]epea/i.ng   C/ause.   All   laws,   executive   orders,   and
administrative  orders,  or  parts  thereof ,  inconsistent with  any  provision  of this
Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Section  17.  Effecf/-v7.fy  C/aL/se.  This  Act  shall  take  effect fifteen  (15)
days after its  publication  in the online version  of the  Official  Gazette or in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
8