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

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

.
HOUSE BILL NO. 4238

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROMOTING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION FOR FOOD
SECURITY, ESTABLISHING A FOOD SECURITY INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

Food security in the twenty-first century requires more than expanding production. It
demands innovation across the entire food system — from climate-resilient farming and seed
technology to post-harvest preservation, digital monitoring, and nutrition-sensitive processing.
Without sustained research and innovation, Philippine agriculture will remain vulnerable to
climate shocks, global price volatility, and structural inefficiencies that drive up consumer
prices while eroding farmer incomes.

‘At present, agricultural research and development is scattered among multiple agencies,
underfunded relative to national needs, and not strategically linked to food security outcomes.
The Bureau of Agricultural Research under the Department of Agriculture, the Department of
Science and Technology and its councils, and state universities and colleges conduct important
work, but in isolation. Moreover, innovations often remain in pilot projects, failing to scale to
the level needed to transform the food system.

This bill establishes a Food Security Innovation and Research Program to serve as the
national framework for aligning research and innovation with food security objectives. It does
not create a stand-alone special fund; rather, it mainstreams food security research into the
General Appropriations Act and directs implementing agencies to pool and prioritize existing
and new resources for innovation. It also enables financing through private investment, Agri-
Agra compliance under Republic Act No. 11901, and incentives under Title XIII of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.


Specifically, the measure will:

1. Institutionalize a Food Security Innovation and Research Program, to be jointly
implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and
Technology, with participation from the Department of Development Planning and state
universities and colleges.

2. Require an annual Food Security Innovation Agenda, submitted to DBM and Congress,
to guide appropriations in the GAA.

3. Prioritize research on climate-resilient crops, biotechnology, digital and Al applications
for food system monitoring, post-harvest innovation, cold chain development, food
safety, and nutrition.

4, Encourage public-private partnerships and mobilize investments in food security
innovation through Agri-Agra financing compliance and tax incentives under the
NIRC.

5. Integrate all research outputs into the National Food Security Roadmap to ensure that
innovations are not isolated, but become part of national strategy.

By passing this measure, Congress will strengthen the capacity of the Philippines not
only to produce more food, but to do so smarter, more sustainably, and more resiliently. Food
security is not only about more hectares planted, but about more knowledge, more innovation,
and more foresight embedded in our food systems.

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



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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._ 4238

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROMOTING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION FOR FOOD
SECURITY, ESTABLISHING A FOOD SECURITY INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 the “Food Security Innovation and
Research Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to strengthen food security
by promoting research, development, and innovation that increase agricultural productivity,
reduce post-harvest losses, enhance nutrition, and build resilience against climate and
economic shocks.

SEC. 3. Food Security Innovation and Research Program. There is hereby established
a Food Security Innovation and Research Program, to be implemented by the Department of
Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in coordination
with the Department of Development Planning (DepDev), state universities and colleges, and
accredited research institutions. The Program shall consolidate, prioritize, and align all research
efforts related to food security.

SEC. 4, Annual Food Security Innovation Agenda. The DA and DOST shall jointly
prepare an annual Food Security Innovation Agenda, which shall identify priority research
areas, projects, and targets. This Agenda shall be submitted to the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) and to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress for
inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Priority Research Areas. The Program shall prioritize research and innovation

(a) Climate-resilient crops and water-efficient farming systems;


(b) Biotechnology, seed development, and crop improvement;
(©) Digital technologies, data analytics, and artificial intelligence for food system
monitoring and risk prediction;

(@) Post-harvest systems, cold chain, storage, and logistics innovation;
(e) Food safety, fortification, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture; and
(f) Other areas as may be identified by the National Food Security Council.

SEC. 6. Financing and Incentives.

(a) Appropriations for the Program shall be mainstreamed into the annual General
Appropriations Act for the DA, DOST, DepDey, and participating state universities
and colleges.

(b) Investments in accredited food security innovation projects shall be eligible for
incentives under Title XIU of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
amended, subject to the strategic investment priorities plan.

(c) Banks and financial institutions may recognize lending to, or investments in,
accredited food security innovation projects as compliance with the mandatory
credit allocation requirement under Republic Act No. 11901, and its implementing
regulations.

SEC. 7. Integration with the National Food Security Roadmap. All projects supported
under this Act shall be aligned with the priorities of the National Food Security Roadmap, as
approved by the National Food Security Council.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DA and DOST, in coordination with DepDev and the National Food
Security Council, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and issuances
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,