Republic of the Philippines //*
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES’ QE
Quezon City, Metro Manilif 2.

NINETEENTH CONGRESS. -.
1 RegularSession +

House Bill No. 31 6

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Farmers are the backbone of our country. Without them, our country will shut into
famish. Despite such overwhelming contribution of our farmers, most of them still fall
below the poverty line. This is evident because as the Representative of the lone
district of Benguet, whose majority of the constituents’ source of livelihood is
agriculture, it is disheartening to witness their agricultural produce turn into wastes

for being not prioritized in the local market.

This bill seeks to support local farmers - to safeguard both their income and
production. Through this proposed measure, the welfare of our local farmers and the
country’s food security will be prioritized. This shall not be interpreted with the intent
to shun trade and consumption of forcign or imported goods because this bill will

only cut out the middleman and shorten the distance from the source

‘This bill will both benefit the food service establishments and local farmers since food
services establishments are also guaranteed fresher, in-season ingredients. In
addition, this shall also create appeal to customers as it attends to environmental

issues and consumer ethics.

‘The food service remains to be cultivating as the the demand for food comes from the
growing population. Aside from developing business strategies and coping with new

trends, food service establishments must also contribute in strengthening food


security and sustainability of local agricultural products in the country. By means of
buying agricultural produce from local farmers for their food preparation and
production, establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and catering services further
boost and support the local economy, and at the same time, improve the way of living

of our countrymen.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

RIC GO YAP


be

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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

316

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

AN ACT
MANDATING GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND FOOD SERVICE
ESTABLISHMENTS TO PURCHASE THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE OF
LOCAL FARMERS OR PRODUCERS FOR THEIR FOOD PREPARATION AND
PRODUCTION

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 “Marketing and
Utilization of Local Agricultural Produce Act of 2020.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as a policy of the State,
consistent with the constitutional provisions on social justice and the fundamental
principles on food security, to ensure local food production.

As such, priority must be accorded to the produce of local farmers and
producers in terms of the purchases of government institutions and food service
establishments intended for food preparation and production.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Purchase. ~ Government institutions and Food Service
Establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, and catering services, shall prioritize the
purchase of local agricultural produce of local farmers for their food preparation and
production,

Moreover, the produce of local farmers within the territorial jurisdiction of the
local government unit (LGU) wherein the government institution and food service
establishment is located shall take precedence over other produce outside their
respective LGUs to lower transportation or other hauling costs in the delivery of such
produce,

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting the government
institutions and food service establishments to purchase local produce in different


political subdivisions, provided that the requirement herein set forth is complied by
the food service establishments.

SEC. 4. Exceptions. - Section 2 of this Act shall not be applicable in any of the
following cases where the local produce is:

a. No longer fit for human consumption;

b. Insufficient in quantity;

c. More costly and impractical compared to imported or foreign sources of
produce;

d. Inferior in quality.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - For the effective
implementation of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry
(DT), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Department of Health (DOH) shall
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act promulgate the implementing
rules and regulations.

SEC. 6, Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof
which shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general application.

Approved,