TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
l?:kT| ^cnat£
ft tbf iftrrrrfarf
25 AUG-7 P<:18
SENATE
S. No. 1160
RECEIVED BY;ir
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS "BUY PINOY, BUILD PINOY 
MONTH" TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO 
PRIORITIZE THE PURCHASE AND UTILIZATION OF FILIPINO PRODUCTS,
LABOR AND SERVICES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With a more optimized importation and exportation through the internet and 
technology, it is easier to be oblivious of those behind the products and services we 
avail. It becomes more difficult to discern which are locally made, leading to limited 
patronization from our own citizens. Subsequently, we receive narrower benefits from 
the economic impacts of supporting local businesses.
In fact, DTI through their "Buy Local, Go Lokal" campaign encourages our 
fellow Filipinos to patronize local products as a measure to stimulate the local 
economy. Employment opportunities, demand in local products, and trust and 
confidence in local brands, which are all contributors to economic performance, 
improve alongside support for local businesses.1 This is more particularly applicable to 
MSMEs, which compose 99.5% of all businesses and 63.2% of employment in the 
Philippines, and can be considered the backbone of our economy.2
1 https://www.reportr.world/news/dti-buy-local-go-lokal-a4373-20200703
2 https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/2012-06-30-13-06-51/2012-06-30-13-36-50/1195-ff2020-19-msmes-in-the-
Philippines


As we transition to economic recovery and revival, stronger support for local 
enterprises is crucial now more than ever. Assistance and support in the form of 
marketing, information, and capacity-building campaigns which can be drivers of sales 
and advertisements will be substantial to boost local businesses. This proposed bill 
contains provisions for aforementioned drivers.
To declare November of each year as the "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month" 
provides a huge marketing platform for a national audience, informs buyers of the 
positive implications of the celebration, and capacitates entrepreneurs to further 
Improve their businesses. In addition, celebrating it during the month of November 
enables a strategic timing where consumers will have the chance to support local 
brands during the holiday season and still maintain a balance of choices in the free 
market while entrepreneurs gain marketing and sales from prospect consumers.
Moreover, benefits will not only be reaped during the month of November but 
other positive spillovers such as marketing and advertisements can be experienced for 
the entire year. Hence, serving as a bridge for local businesses and consumers to 
maximize their existing value and interest and to communicate it to a broader horizon.
With the huge pool of mutual benefits intended directly for consumers, 
entrepreneurs, workers, and the economy, the enactment of this bill is an explicit 
measure of economic recovery and development.
In line with the aforementioned, the approval of this bill is sought.
CAMILLE VILLAR


A 5y-
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
g?euaU'
25 AUG -7 P6:18
S. No.
SENATE 
1160
RECEIVED 3Y:
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS "BUY PINOY, BUILD PINOY 
MONTH" TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO 
PRIORITIZE THE PURCHASE AND UTILIZATION OF FILIPINO PRODUCTS,
LABOR AND SERVICES
Be it enacted by die Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy
2 
Month Act".
3 
Sec. 2. State Policy. - In furtherance of the Constitutionally-mandated role of
4 
the State to develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively
5 
controlled by Filipinos (Article II, Section 19) and to promote the preferential use of
6 
Filipino labor, domestic materials and locally produced goods, and adopt measures
7 
that help make them competitive (Article XII, Section 12), it is the policy of state to
8 
promote the growth and development of Filipino entrepreneurs, especially those
9 
involved in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as defined by Republic
10 
Act No. 6977, as amended by Republic Act No. 8289 and Republic Act No. 9501, or
11 
the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
12 
Sec. 3. Declaration of Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month. - The month of November
13 
of every year is hereby declared as "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month" in recognition of
14 
the important role and contribution of the MSME sector to the Philippine economy and


1 
to enhance the opportunities of these enterprises to grow and contribute more
2 
meaningfully to job generation, national development and economic advancement.
3 
Sec. 4. Observance of Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month. -To ensure the
4 
meaningful observance of Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month as herein declared, all heads
5 
of government offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and
6 
controlled corporations, as well as local government units, and employers in the
7 
private sector, shall encourage and afford sufficient resources, time and opportunities
8 
for MSMEs to engage and participate in any and all activities to mark the month.
9 
a) 
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall be the lead agency
10 
for the implementation of this Act. The activities under this act shall be
11 
included in the annual work program and action agenda of the Micro,
12 
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.
13 
b) 
Activities for the Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy \Aodth shall include MSME trade
14 
fairs, bazaars, marketing missions, information dissemination activities,
15 
education and advocacy campaigns, and similar events featuring Filipino
16 
products, manufactures, inventions, technologies and resources and
17 
shall be conducted in all national government agencies as well as cities
18 
and municipalities in the country.
19 
c) 
A national trade fair shall be held for at least two (2) weeks in November
20 
of every year with the participation limited to Filipino producers, service
21 
providers, and products. Provided, that the said fair shall be held
22 
simultaneously in locations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
23 
d) 
The Philippine Information Agency, in coordination with the DTI, shall
24 
formulate and implement a nationwide information and advocacy
25 
campaign for the Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Month activities.
26 
e) 
TTie private sector is encouraged to conduct similar initiatives as those
27 
enumerated in this Act.


1 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The DTI, in consultation with
2 
relevant stakeholders and other government agencies, shall promulgate and publish
3 
the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
4 
this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
5 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. -Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
6 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions
7 
or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist
8 
and be given effect in their entirety.
9 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or
10 
regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
11 
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
12 
Sec. 8. Effectivity-VMS Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after
13 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
14 
circulation.
15 
Approved,