Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
© Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

8318

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI

The
from all

EXPLANATORY NOTE

pandemic has pushed poverty incidence higher this last year. As a result, people
Fee Tot/ ke [eet aula cee finding themselves thrusted into poverty or finding

themselves deeper into poverty.

Nobody
their
they

With the

poor and

to be poor. And a lot of individuals are more than willing to fight and get back on
However, much as they would like to, they remain hindered by the basic necessities
‘to start over.

of the Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers in every legislative

vie loueincome tira can oem food, ad fel office mata whca preparing
lications, and also access basic health services. With access to the aforementioned,
low-income individuals and senior citizens will have less matters to worry about and

they can focus their energy for their personal and financial growth.

The estaishment ofthese Momentary Support Centes/Feeding Ocutrs wil mit only provide
the

gh to those qualified to avail of the services and programs offered but
fe and support while going through their journey of rising up from

g, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. CERO

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ALL ASPECTS OF POVERTY THROUGH
THE CREATION OF MOMENTARY SUPPORT CENTER/FEEDING CENTER IN EVERY
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the Poverty Support System Act of 2021

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect and enhance
the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political inequalities,
and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common
good. It is also the declared policy of the state to promote social justice which shall include the
commitment to create economic opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Momentary Support Center/Feeding Center. — There is hereby
established in every legislative district in the entire country a Momentary Support
Center/Feeding Center which will serve as the following:

1. Asa food bank which will provide free food to low-income adult and senior individuals;
2. A one-stop establishment for essential intemet and office needs for a low-income individual in
order to complete their documentary requirements in searching for jobs and loan applications;

3. A clinic and recreation establishment that will provide basic medical monitoring and checkups
and health and wellness programs for low-income individuals.

‘The Momentary Support Center/Feeding Center shall also serve as office in order for Municipal
and Barangay Health Workers to more effectively execute their respective functions.



The Momentary Support Center/Feeding Center shall also provide guidance and support to its
clients as they go through their journey of rising up from poverty.

SECTION 4. Concerned Agencies. - The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) together with the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) shall enact the necessary
Implementing Rules and Regulations that will:

1, Determine who may access the services mentioned in this Act;
2. Determine how poor and low-income individuals will be able to access the programs
mentioned in this Act.

The National Food Authority shall provide rice, corn and such other food items to the
Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers.

The Department of Health shall either augment or transfer Municipal or Barangay Health
Workers to enable the Momentary Support Center/Feeding Center to execute its Clinic and
Health and Wellness programs after in close cooperation with the Local Government Unit
concerned.

The Local Government Unit or Units concerned shall provide the staff necessary for the
operation and implementation of the three (3) pillar programs of the Momentary Support
Center/Feeding Center.

SECTION 5. Role of Local Government Units. - Nothing in this Act prevents any Local
Government Unit from putting up and operating its own Momentary Support Center/Feeding
Center provided that who and how the services will be accessed by poor and low-income
individuals shall be vetted by the DSWD.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the establishment of Momentary
Support Centers/Feeding Centers shall be chargeable to the General Appropriations Act (GAA)
for the current year upon the approval of this Act.

The amount necessary for the operation of the Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers shall
be taken from the current appropriations of the Department of Social and Welfare Development.
Such other amounts necessary to completely accomplish the establishment of the Momentary
Support Centers/Feeding Centers shall be included in the next appropriation of the concerned
department and ageney

SECTION 7. Staggered Construction of Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers. ~
Establishment of the Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers shall be prioritized in areas
where the poverty incidence is high as determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
and the DSWD in accordance with a published criterion.

SECTION 8. Partnership with Private Entities. ~ Private entities, People’s organizations, Non-

government organizations, and other charitable institutions may partner with Momentary Support.
Centers/Feeding Centers and support its programs.

PANT 202


Food and supplies donated by private entities and commercial establishments shall be exempt
from taxes. Entities who donated food items shall not be liable for any damages. Personnel
assigned in Momentary Support Centers/Feeding Centers shall double check the safety of the
food items donated and delivered. Personnel assigned in the Momentary Support Center/Feeding
Center shall also provide transparency in the inventory items donated.

‘An inventory of the items donated as declared by the donor and the inventory as curated by
Momentary Support Center/Feeding Center personnel shall be posted by the door of the center
for everybody to see.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this
Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and regulations
or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION II. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,