NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•22 JUL 11 P3 'A9
S. No.
SENATE
244
RUCElVtD BY.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF 
PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Culinary tradition has been part of the Philippines' cultural heritage. Food is 
an essential part of Filipino identity and culture as it conveys the story of the country 
and unites the spirits of Filipino people despite the unique differences in food 
traditions in every region.
The stakeholders of Filipino culinary heritage encompass the sectors of 
agriculture, tourism, and the culture and arts.
To preserve our culinary heritage and promote sustainable food security in the 
country, this bill seeks to provide the necessary support for agriculture and fisheries, 
especially for small farmers and urban gardeners, to promote traditional cooking 
methods using heirloom ingredients, as well as to conduct food heritage and regional 
culinary identity mapping alongside identifying and recording tangible culinary 
resources using geographic tools.
The proposed measure will also establish the Committee on Philippine 
Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage, which will be responsible for the formulation and 
promulgation of policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development, 
enrichment, propagation, promotion, and preservation of Filipino cuisine, Filipino 
culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy.


Ultimately, the bill seeks to strengthen and deepen the understanding and 
appreciation of our cultural identity through food heritage.
For the aforementioned reasons, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Senate
of til'
72 JUL11 P3 *49
S. No.
SENATE
244
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF 
PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Culinary
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Heritage Act of2022."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism and
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nationalism among the people, especially through the educational system, and to
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celebrate the culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures
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that will elevate its value and prestige.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
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a. Filipino cuisine - refers to the cuisines of the different ethnolinguistic groups
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or regions in the country.
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b. Culinary heritage - refers to the recipes or dishes that forefathers or ancestors
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used to cook or make, incorporating the origins of food-related activities of
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a cultural group or region
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c. Heirloom - refers to a valuable object that has belonged to an entity
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for several generations.
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d. Heirloom food - refers to a horticultural variety that has survived for several
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generations. May refer to a vegetable, fruit, or legume that was commonly


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grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not widely 
cultivated in large-scale agriculture.
e. Gastronomy - refers to the study of the relationship between food, culture, 
and tradition of a certain area, the art of preparing and serving rich or 
delicate and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and 
the science of good eating.
f. Regional cuisine - refers to a specific cuisine based on local regions. Regional 
cuisines may vary based upon food availability and trade, varying climates, 
cooking traditions and practices, and cultural differences.
g. Ethnolinguistic regions - refer to certain geographical areas where particular 
groups of people speak a common language or culture.
h. Disciplines - refer to various fields of learning.
i. 
Culinary mapping- refers to a systematic approach of identifying and 
recording culinary resources and the food needs of geographical areas or 
communities, using geographic information systems to support a more 
rigorous evidence-based approach to planning culinary heritage 
preservation and gastronomic tourism.
j. 
Gastro diplomacy - refers to concerted and sustained campaigns of public 
relations and investment by the government often in collaboration with 
non-state entities, to increase the value and standing of their nation's brand 
through food.
Sec. 4. Establishment of a Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary 
Heritage. - The Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage shall be 
established under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The Committee under the NCCA, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the 
Constitution, shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
a. Formulate policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further 
development, enrichment, propagation, promotion, and 
preservation of Filipino cuisine, Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom 
food, and gastronomy;


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b. Promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines to implement its 
policies, plans, and programs;
c. Undertake or contract research and other studies to promote the 
evolution, development, and enrichment of Filipino culinary 
heritage and gastronomy such as the implementation of culinary 
mapping for the entire country;
d. Ensure the continuous conduct of the annual celebration of 
Proclamation No. 469, s. 2018 or the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino / 
Filipino Food Month by being the focal implementing government 
agency;
e. Formulate yearly implementation guidelines and standards for the 
national celebration and activation of Presidential Proclamation No. 
469 or the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino / Filipino Food Month to 
make sure that all activities are aligned to the purpose of the 
national celebration;
f. Provide annual funding to government-approved regional and 
national Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino or Filipino Food Month 
activities as per Presidential Proclamation No. 469;
g. Encourage and promote, through a system of incentives, grants, and 
awards, the writing, publication, and dissemination of gastronomic 
research papers regarding culinary traditions, practices, heirloom 
recipes and ingredients, and publication of textbooks and reference 
materials in various disciplines;
h. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department 
of Education to formally integrate culinary heritage and Philippine 
gastronomy into the primary and secondary education curricula 
and/or subjects, such as but not limited to, science, civics, history, 
arts, and home economics including textbooks, primers, and other 
educational materials, basic & localized gastronomic principles and 
concepts;


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i. Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or any 
instrumentality of Government or any private entity, institution, or 
organization for cooperation and assistance in the performance of 
its fxmctions, duties, and responsibilities;
j. 
Conduct, at the national, regional, and local levels, public hearings, 
conferences, seminars, and other group discussions to identify and 
help resolve problems and issues involving the development, 
propagation, and preservation of Filipino culinary heritage, 
heirloom food, and gastronomy;
k. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department 
of Foreign Affairs to increase the efficiency of gastro diplomacy 
campaigns of the country;
l. Formulate and adopt guidelines, standards, and systems for 
monitoring and reporting on its performance at the national, 
regional, and local levels; and submit to the Office of the President 
and Congress an annual progress report on the implementation of 
its policies, plans, and programs;
m. Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, its officials and 
employees and such other personnel as are necessary for the 
effective performance of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; 
and dismiss them for a cause;
n. Organize and reorganize the structure of the Committee, create or 
abolish positions, or change the designation of existing positions to 
meet the changing conditions or as the need therefore arises; 
Provided, that such changes shall not affect the employment status 
of the incumbents, reduce their ranks, decrease their salaries or 
result in their separation from the service; and
o. Perform such other activities which are necessary for the effective 
exercise of the abovementioned powers, functions, duties, and 
responsibilities.


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Sec. 5. Culinary Mapping. - Concerned agencies, such as the Department of 
Education, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and 
Technology, and the Department of Tourism shall conduct food heritage mapping to 
promote, preserve and raise the awareness among Filipino people of the importance 
of culinary heritage and tradition preservation. To this end, the concerned agencies 
shall identify and record tangible culinary resources making use of geographic tools. 
It shall also conduct regional culinary identity mapping, taking into consideration 
geography, the food culture of indigenous people; foods and cooking techniques; and 
economic viability and providing evidence of regional cuisine.
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00) is 
hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial 
implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
implementation of this Act shall be appropriated under the NCCA as a distinct and 
separate item.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, all concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules 
and regulations of this Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,