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Republic of the Philippines
2 DATE: JUL 20 2te0 |

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
2h! Regular Session

House Bill No. 7136

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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.

This bill seeks to support local farmers - to safeguard both their income and
production. This motivates local farmers as they are provided with security that their
agricultural produce are not put into waste. Through this farm to table movement,
food services establishments are also guaranteed fresher, in-season ingredients. It
shall also create appeal to customers as it attends to environmental issues and
consumer ethics.

It must be noted that this measure intends to prioritize the welfare of local
farmers and the country’s food security, and not to shun trade and consumption of
foreign or imported goods. This also cuts out middleman and shortens the distance
from the source, which shall be both beneficial to food service establishments and local
farmers.

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

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ERIC GO YAP


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
2! Regular Session

136
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

AN ACT
MANDATING 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 food service establishment's purchases intended for food
preparation and production.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Purchase. - 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, produce of local farmers within the territorial jurisdiction of the
local government unit (LGU) wherein the 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. However,

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting the 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
(DTD, 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,