SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
s.No._2491 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'1/, 
DEC -9 P 2 :43 
TO CONDUCT A PILOT PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO INCREASE 
THE AMOUNT OF PURCHASES OF LOCAL FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 
FOR SCHOOLS BY GIVING CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS THE 
OPTION OF RECEIVING A GRANT FROM THE SECRETARY OF AGRlCUL TURE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: "The State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." 
Noncommunicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, 
obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, reportedly kill more people every year than any 
other cause of death. Four factors in the epidemiology of these diseases - poor diet, 
physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use - are of overwhelming importance to public 
health. 
Fruit and vegetables are an important component of a healthy diet and, if 
consumed daily in sufficient amounts, could help prevent major diseases such as CVDs 
and certain cancers. i 
Thus, there is a need for legislative policies to promote and support fruit and 
vegetable consumption. 
This bill seeks to conduct a pilot program in support of efforts to increase the 
amount of purchases of local fresh fruits and vegetables for schools and service 
institutions by giving certain administrative regions the option of receiving a grant from 
I http://www. who.intJdictphysicalactivity/publications/fruit vegetables reWIt.pdf. 
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the Secretary of Agriculture. With this bill, schools would be allowed to spend some of 
the government funding they receive to buy local food from local farmers. 2 
(1'. 
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MIRIAM DE· 
SOR S 
I 
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. 
2 This bill was originally filed during the Fifteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2491 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
.. Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
TO CONDUCT A PILOT PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO INCREASE 
3 
THE AMOUNT OF PURCHASES OF LOCAL FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 
4 
FOR SCHOOLS BY GIVING CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS THE 
5 
OPTION OF RECEIVING A GRANT FROM THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
6 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Local School Foods Act." 
7 
SECTION 2. Pilot Program for Purchase of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for 
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Schools and Service Institutions. -
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(I) In General. - The Secretary of Agriculture (here called "Secretary") shall use 
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not more than Five Million Pesos (~5,000,000.00) to conduct a pilot program under 
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which the Secretar:y will give not more than three participating administrative regions, as 
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listed the option of receiving a grant in an amount equal to the value of the commodities 
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that the participating region would otherwise receive under this Act for each of fiscal 
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years 2015 and 2016. 
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(2) Use of Grant Funds. - A participating region receiving a grant under this Act 
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may use the grant funds solely to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to 
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schools in the region. 
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(3) Selection of Participating States. - The Secretary shall select participating -
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regions from applications submitted by the regions. 
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(4) Reporting Requirements. -
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(A) School Requirement. - Schools in a participating region shall keep 
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records of purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables made using the grant funds and 
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report such records to the region. 
S 
(B) Region Requirement. - Each participating region shall submit to the 
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Secretary a report .on the success of the pilot program in the region, including 
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information on the amount and value of each type of fresh fruit and vegetable 
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purchased by the region; and the benefit provided by such purchases in conducting 
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the school food service in the region, including meeting school meal requirements. 
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SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
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unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
13 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,. 
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'01' parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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