EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
‘ i  j * ’' j ’ • '
iS U i'f  C( iiK  
r ftC !-p
S E N A T ^ o
S. No.
•19 JJL -2 A 8 -Se
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RLCl' vI . !:■
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD
Explanatory Note
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the subsistence 
incidence among Filipinos was recorded at 12.1%. In tangible terms, this means that 
12 million Filipinos had monthly incomes below the food threshold of Php7,638.00, 
or roughly Php254.00 a day. In addition, the 8th National Nutrition Survey found that 
65.1%, or a whopping 6 out of 10 families, experienced some form of food 
insecurity due to insufficient access to food.
The data above points to a grave and wide-ranging violation of a fundamental 
human right — the right to adequate food. Thus, it could be argued that widespread 
and chronic hunger is a human rights violation. It is an affront to the principle of 
human dignity.
That hunger is a violation of human rights has basis. Ihe right to adequate 
food is an internationally recognized and protected human right. It is enshrined in no 
less than the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 25 of the Declaration 
reads:
"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the 
health and well-being of himself and of his family, including foo d. 
clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and 
the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, 
widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond 
his control."
The right to adequate food is also restated in the International Covenant on 
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the Convention 
states that "The States Parties to the present Covenant... re co a n izfe ) th e  
fu n d a m e n ta l rig h t o f  everyone to  be fre e fro m  hunger... " (emphasis 
supplied).


This proposed measure thus seeks to establish a legal framework for the 
recognition and protection of the right to adequate food. The proposed framework 
seeks to establish the parameters of the right to adequate food and its exercise, as 
well as the obligations of the State to respect, protect, and fulfill it. Towards this 
end, this proposed measure seeks to mandate the State to reduce the incidence of 
hunger from the current level by 25%; in five years, it will be further reduced by 
25%; in seven and a half years, it will be further reduced by another 25%; and in 10 
years, zero hunger should be achieved.
In view of the foregoing, speedy approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
POE


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N  
S. No
ol li)* fErr' rtflrp
'19 JUL -2 A 8 56
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RECt.iVi
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Right to Adequate
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Food Act o f 2019".
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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guarantee the right to adequate food. Adequate food is not a matter of charity, but
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of legal entitlement. Hunger is inconsistent with human dignity and human rights,
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and must be eliminated. The aim of this Act is to provide a framework, within which
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hunger will be addressed in an organized way, and through which hunger may be
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ended.
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Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
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defined as follows:
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a.) Accessibility -  refers to the capacity of individuals to produce or procure
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food, and the removal of barriers which prevent such access. It
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encompasses economic and physical accessibility:
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1. 
Economic accessibility implies that personal or household
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financial costs associated with the acquisition of food for an
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adequate diet should be at a level such that the attainment and


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satisfaction of other basic needs are not threatened or 
compromised.
2. 
Physical accessibility implies that adequate food must be 
accessible 
to 
everyone, 
including 
physically 
vulnerable 
individuals, such as infants and young children, elderly people, 
those belonging to the informal sector, the physically disabled, 
the terminally ill and persons with persistent medical problems, 
including the mentally ill.
b.) Adequacy -  refers to the presence of food in a quantity and quality 
sufficient to satisfy the dietary needs of individuals, free from adverse 
substances, and acceptable within a given culture; and to the accessibility 
of such food in ways that are sustainable, and which do not interfere with 
the enjoyment of other human rights:
1. 
Dietary needs imply that the diet as a whole contains a mix of 
nutrients for physical and mental growth, development and 
maintenance, and physical activity, that are in compliance with 
human physiological needs at all stages throughout the life 
cycle, and according to gender and occupation.
2. 
Cultural or consumer acceptability implies the need also to take 
into account, as far as possible, perceived non nutrient-based 
values attached to food and food consumption and informed 
consumer concerns regarding the nature of accessible food 
supplies.
3. 
Freedom from adverse substances sets requirements for food 
safety and for a range of protective measures by both public 
and private means to prevent contamination of foodstuffs 
through adulteration, or through bad environmental hygiene, or 
inappropriate handling at different stages throughout the food 
chain. Care must also be taken to identify and avoid or destroy 
naturally occurring toxins.


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4. 
Sustainability 
refers 
to 
the 
availability, 
adequacy, 
and 
accessibiiity for both present and future generations, in a 
manner which does not jeopardize the environmental balance.
c. ) Availability -  refers to the possibilities either for feeding oneself directly
from productive land or other natural resources, or for well-functioning 
distribution, processing and market systems that can move food from the 
site of production to where it is needed in accordance with demand;
d. ) Council -  refers to the Inter-Agency Councii on the Right to Adequate
Food created under this Act;
e. ) Food -  refers to nourishment that includes solid, liquid and semi-liquid
nourishment, as well as drinking water;
f. ) Food blockade -  refers to a knowing and willful effort to cut off food
supplies from a particular area by force either in part or in total.
g. ) Hunger -  refers to a spectrum of situations, from starvation, which is not
having enough food of any sort to eat, to undernourishment, which is 
having enough food to eat, but of inadequate quality;
h. ) Right to adequate food -  refers to the right to have regular, permanent
and unrestricted access, either directly or by means of financial purchases, 
to 
quantitatively 
and 
qualitatively 
adequate 
and 
sufficient 
food, 
corresponding to the cultural traditions of the people, to which he or she 
belongs, and which ensure a physical and mental, individual and collective, 
fulfilling and dignified life, free of fear;
i. 
) Vulnerable groups -  refer to those who are particularly disadvantaged.
These include indigenous peoples, ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities, 
persons with disabilities, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, refugees and 
internally displaced people, women and children;
ARTICLE I I
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Sec. 4. General Principles. -  The principles upon which the provisions of this 
Act are founded, and which must be observed in the process of realizing the right to 
adequate food, are:


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a. ) Accountability. - Public officials are answerable to their superiors, and to
the people they serve, for their actions. Application of the principle of 
accountability in the context of the framework act requires clear 
assignment of responsibilities and functions to public authorities for 
implementation of the framework act and any subsequent measures to be 
taken. In addition, the expected results are spelled out clearly and 
appropriate procedures are established;
b. ) Empowerment - People have the power, capacities, capabilities and
access needed to change their own lives, including the power to seek from 
the State remedies for violations of their human rights. This principle is the 
logical consequence of all the preceding principles. In the context of the 
framework act, the empowerment principle entails the inclusion of specific 
provisions on awareness-raising, capacity-building and right to adequate 
food education;
c. ) Human dignity. - It is the absolute and inherent worth that persons have,
simply because they are human, not by virtue of any social status or 
particular powers. The framework act recognizes in an unequivocal form 
that every person has a right to adequate food. To comply with this 
principle in the implementation of the framework act, the State, through 
its public officials, treats persons equally and respects their human worth 
and dignity;
d. ) Non-discrimination. - It is a level of protection of human rights objectively
and reasonably the same for everybody, irrespective of sex, age, race, 
color, religion or any other ground. In addition to specifically prohibiting 
discrimination on any ground, this principle requires specific measures 
aimed at correcting de facto discrimination or eliminating conditions that 
cause or help to perpetuate discrimination, as well as measures promoting 
equality. In the context of this framework act, it means paying particular 
attention to those groups that cannot enjoy their rights as fully as others;
e. ) Participation. - People are able to determine their own well-being and
participate in the planning, design, monitoring and evaluation of decisions 
affecting them. Individuals are able to take part in the conduct of public


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affairs, including the adoption and implementation of State policies. Such 
participation is active, free and meaningful, whether it is exercised directly 
or through intermediary organizations representing specific interests. It is 
supported by capacity- building where necessary;
f. ) Rule o f law. - It means that governmental authority is legitimately
exercised only in accordance with written, publicly disclosed and accessible 
laws, adopted and enforced in conformity with established procedures. 
The principle is intended as a safeguard against arbitrary use of State 
authority and lawless acts of both organizations and individuals. Any 
implementing rules and regulations to be adopted for ensuring the 
implementation of the framework act will be clear, fair and accessible. The 
rule of law also means that no person or body can breach the law with 
impunity. There is access to justice including the right to an effective 
remedy for anyone whose rights are violated, as well as the guarantee of 
due process in all legal proceedings; and
g. ) Transparency. - It is open access by the public to timely and reliable
information on the decisions and performance of public authorities. 
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all their 
decisions and actions that may affect the free exercise of the right to 
adequate food. Applying the principle of transparency within the context 
of the framework act means that right-holders are provided with essential 
information about the decision-making process and those accountable and 
responsible for it. 
Right-holders also have the power to demand 
information on the processes that feed into the achievement of the 
particular entitlement, with an easy and low-cost corrective check to 
maladministration;
ARTICLE I I I
THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD
Sec. 5. The Right to Adequate Food. -
a.) Every person has a right to be free from hunger. Every person 
suffering from hunger or undernourishment, or at risk of suffering from


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hunger or undernourishment, is entitied to a minimum amount of food
according to his or her age, sex, health status and occupation;
b. ) Every person has the right to live in conditions that enable her or him
to:
1. Feed herself or himself directly from productive land or other 
natural 
resources, 
or 
rely 
on 
well-functioning 
distribution, 
processing and market systems, or both;
2. Be financially able, not only to acquire a sufficient quantity and 
quality of food, but also to satisfy her or his other basic needs;
3. Be safe from the risk of losing access to food, as a consequence of 
sudden shocks, like an economic or climatic crisis, or cyclical 
events, such as seasonal food insecurity;
4. Have the opportunity of good food utilization, through access to an 
adequate diet, clean water, sanitation and health care, to reach a 
state of nutritional well- being, where all physiological needs are 
met; and
5. Access foods or diets that are the most appropriate under given 
circumstances, in terms of their nutritional value and cultural 
acceptability.
c. ) Every girl and boy has a right to adequate food and nutrition adequate
for her or his age, allowing her or him to grow and develop;
d. ) Every woman has a right to adequate food and adequate nutrition
during pregnancy and lactation.
No limitation on the right to adequate food may be allowed, unless it is 
provided by law, is necessary for the purpose of a compelling public interest, and is 
compatible with the nature of the right to adequate food.
Sec. 6. Non-discrimination. -  Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on 
the basis of race, color, sex, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, 
national or social origin, property, birth or other status, which has the effect or 
purpose of impairing or limiting the capacity of an individual to exercise his or her 
right to adequate food, is unlawful and will be sanctioned in accordance with the 
law.


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1
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All forms of discrimination against women with regard to the guaranteed right 
to adequate food, including less favorable treatment of women for reasons of 
pregnancy and maternity, will be eliminated and prevented. The equality of 
opportunities between men and women will be promoted.
The prohibition of discrimination will not be read to include government action 
to remedy past effects of discrimination against particular individuals or groups and, 
to promote equality of opportunities with regard to the right to adequate food.
Sec. 7. Interpretation o f the Right to Food. -  The right to adequate food is 
realized when every Filipino has equal physical and economic access at all times to 
adequate food, or means for its procurement. The right to adequate food will 
therefore not be interpreted in a narrow or restrictive sense, which equates it with a 
minimum package of calories, proteins and other specific nutrients. The right to food 
shall be interpreted based on the elements of availability, accessibility, and adequacy 
as defined in this Act.
Sec. 8. Interrelation with Other Rights. -  The right to adequate food is 
interrelated with and indivisible from other rights recognized under the Constitution, 
and domestic and international law. No provision of this Act may be construed as a 
bar to the exercise of other rights.
ARTICLE V
STATE OBLIGATIONS
Sec. 9. The State as Duty Bearer. -  The State, as the primary duty-bearer of 
this Act, has the duty to respect, protect and fulfill the right to adequate food. To 
this end:
a. ) It is the duty of the State not to interfere with or impair the enjoyment
of the right to adequate food. No public authority may deprive any 
person of food or means for its procurement, apply laws and 
regulations, or pursue a policy or practice, in a way that could result in 
preventing the enjoyment of or infringing the human right to adequate 
food, or repeal formally or suspend legislation necessary for the 
continued enjoyment of the right to adequate food;
b. ) It is the duty of the State to provide guarantees against threats and
risks stemming from private actors or societal forces that are


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controllable by State action. It is bound to take preventive measures 
necessary to protect persons whose capacity to access sufficient and 
adequate food or means for its procurement is endangered by the acts 
of others. It also ought to review the relevant administrative and 
legislative framework ensuring that activities within their competence 
undertaken by private actors do not infringe on the right to adequate 
food of others; and
c.) It is the duty of the State to facilitate the enjoyment of the right to 
adequate food by adopting or pursuing appropriate policies and 
measures, in a manner that will foster and promote the human right to 
adequate food and to create and maintain conditions under which 
every person can freely and regularly enjoy her or his right to 
adequate food. It is equally the duty of the State to provide the right 
to adequate food, by adopting and putting in place measures to 
provide food, or means for its procurement, to persons who cannot 
take care of their own needs, due to reasons beyond their control, in 
particular for children whose parents die or disappear or otherwise no 
longer take care of them.
Sec. 10. Duties o f State Agencies and Instrumentalities. -These duties of the 
State shall extend to all state agencies, offices, and instrumentalities at all levels and 
government-owned and controlled corporations, subject to the Constitution and 
pertinent laws, policies, or administrative guidelines that define specific duties of 
state agencies and entities concerned.
In particular, the following agencies shall the have the following duties and 
responsibilities, in addition to those existing under the Constitution and pertinent 
laws, policies, or administrative guidelines:
a. ) The Department of Agriculture will have the primary duty to ensure food
availability, stability and adequacy;
b. )The Department of Health will have the primary duty to ensure food
quality and safety;
c. ) The Department of Trade and Industry will have the primary duty to
ensure physical and economic access to food; and
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d.) The Department of Public Works and Highways will have the primary duty
to ensure well-functioning distribution, processing and market systems.
Sec. 11. Targets. -  Towards the achievement of the objectives of this Act, the 
Government will ensure that in two and a half years, the incidence of hunger will be 
reduced, from the level current at the time of the passage of the framework act, by 
25 percent; in five years, it will be further reduced by 25 percent; in seven and a 
half years, it will be further reduced by 25 percent; and in 10 years, zero hunger will 
be achieved.
The Government will also ensure that in 10 years, land devoted to food 
production will be increased to 50 percent of all prime agricultural land in every 
region, and that the following indicators will considerably and steadily increase over 
the same 10 years, together with other structural and process indicators, as may be 
determined in the implementing rules and regulations of this framework act:
a. ) Percentage of development of ancestral lands;
b. ) Percentage of rural population with access to productive resources;
c. ) Share of budget spent on programs aiming at creating access to
productive resources;
d. ) Percentage of budget spent on agri-research, agri-extension, irrigation,
training, technology, credits and rural development;
e. ) Percentage of rural female-headed households, or rural women, with
legal title to agriculture land;
f. ) Percentage of public budget allocation for social transfer programs to
those unable to feed themselves;
g. ) Coverage of marginalized and disadvantaged population taking part in
social transfer programs;
h. ) Percentage of marginalized and disadvantaged population covered by a
public nutrition supplement program;
i. 
) Percentage of population aware of available food and nutrition
programs; and
j. ) Coverage of school feeding programs.
Periodic reviews will be undertaken to ensure compliance with set targets. In 
the implementation of this framework act, priority will be given to identified areas


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with chronically malnourished individuals. In measuring the incidence of hunger, the
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key primary data sources wili include:
a.) The National Nutrition Survey (NNS);
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b.) the self-rated hunger indicator of the Social Weather Stations (SWS);
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c.) household surveys of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), namely
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the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) and the Annuai
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Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS); and
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d.) Such other reputable indicators and indices as may be created or
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recognized domestically or internationally.
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There shall be authorized to be appropriated such amounts as necessary to
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carry out the provisions of this provision Act, to be included in the annual budget of
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the Food and Nutrition Institute and the Philippine Statistics Authority in the General
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Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 12. Impact Assessment -  All proposed government actions, plans and
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projects, including any development plan, will take into account the right to
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adequate food, and will undergo an objective impact assessment prior to its
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adoption and implementation. The steps for this objective impact assessment
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include:
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a.) Identification of proposais subject to impact assessment, and their
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ievei of detaii;
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b.) Identification of the issues and impacts that are likely to be significant
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for the effective enjoyment of the right to adequate food;
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c.) Determination of options for achieving the same objectives as those of
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the proposal;
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d.) Identification 
and 
prediction 
of 
the 
likely 
social, 
economic,
25 
environmental, and other related effects of the proposal;
26 
e.) Establishment of measures necessary to avoid or minimize predicted
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adverse 
impacts, 
and 
to 
incorporate these 
into the 
proposai
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implementation plan;
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f.) Assessment of significant outcomes including a simplified summary for
30 
public debate.
31 
g.) Public consultation;
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h. ) Determination of whether the report identifies all relevant information
on the possible impacts on the enjoyment of the right to adequate 
food, 
takes 
into 
consideration 
all 
potential 
social, 
economic, 
environmental and other effects of the proposal, and contains concerns 
and comments of the potentially affected population, and all the 
information necessary for decision-making;
i. 
) Approval or rejection of the proposal, and establishing the terms and
conditions for its implementation; and
j. ) Systematic determination of merit, worth and significance.
Any strategic intervention aimed at ensuring the enjoyment of the right to 
adequate food will similarly undergo an objective impact assessment prior to its 
adoption and implementation.
ARTICLE V II
THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD
Sec. 13. Inter-Agency Council on the Right to Adequate Food. -  To facilitate 
inter-agency cooperation to fulfill the objectives if this Act, there is hereby 
established an Inter-Agency Council on the Right to Adequate Food, which will be 
composed of the following agencies and representatives:
a. ) The Commission on Human Rights, as Chairperson;
b. ) Department of Agriculture;
c. ) Department of Agrarian Reform;
d. ) Department of Health;
e. ) Department of Trade and Industry;
f. ) Department of Public Works and Highways;
g. ) Department of Social Welfare and Development;
h. ) National Economic and Development Authority;
i. 
) National Anti-Poverty Commission;
j. ) Two representatives of people's organizations;
k. ) Two representatives of non- governmental organizations
The council members who are representatives of people's organizations and 
non -governmental organizations will be chosen by the Council from a list of
11


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nominees provided by people's organizations and non- governmental organizations
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engaged in the promotion of the right to adequate food.
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The council members are tasked to formulate programs and projects to
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provide strategic interventions to respect, protect and fulfill the right to adequate
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food. The council will also serve as the monitoring body in regard to right to
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adequate food initiatives.
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The council members that are government agencies may designate their duly
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authorized representative, who will have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary
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or its equivalent. 
These members will attend council meetings, and will receive
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emoluments as may be determined by the council, in accordance with existing
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budget and accounting rules and regulations.
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Sec. 14. Powers and Functions o f the Council. -  The Council shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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a.) Receive complaints of violations of the right to adequate food from
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individuals and groups;
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b.) Review and refer to the CHR complaints of violations of the right to
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adequate food;
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c.) Adopt operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for
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contempt for their violation, in accordance with the Rules of Court;
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d.) Establish a continuing program of research, education and information
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to enhance respect for the primacy of the right to adequate food;
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e.) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote the right to
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adequate food, to harmonize existing laws affecting the right to
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adequate food, to ensure their complementation, and the availability of
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remedies for violations and compensation, to victims of violations of
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the right to adequate food;
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f.) Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with its obligations in
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regard to the right to adequate food;
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g.) Appoint officers and employees in accordance with law; and
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h.) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
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In exercising its powers and duties, the Council shall:
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aOApply the human rights principles established by this Act;
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b.)Work in close cooperation with representatives of civil society and take
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their views into consideration; and
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c.)Use, to the fullest possible extent, the services, facilities and
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information, including statistical information, of the relevant public and
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private bodies and organizations, to prevent duplication of effort and
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expenses.
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Sec. 15. Authority o f the Chairperson. -T h e  Chairperson of the Council may
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call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government and nongovernment
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and civic organizations for assistance in terms of the use of their facilities and
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resources towards the achievement of the objectives of this Act and its
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corresponding rules and regulations.
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Sec. 16. Minimum Amount o f Food. — Within one (1) year from the effectivity
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of this Act, Council shall issue guidelines on the minimum amount of food for
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persons who are suffering from hunger or undernourishment, or are at risk from
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suffering from hunger or undernourishment, but who cannot take care of their own
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needs, due to reasons beyond their control, including, but not limited, to children
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whose parents die or disappear, or otherwise no longer take care of them, elderly,
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and persons with disabilities. The guidelines shall include:
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l.)T h e  exact quantity of calories, proteins and micronutrients, to which the
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minimum amount of food will correspond, according to the age, sex,
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health status and occupation of a person;
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2.) A simple and accessible application or certification procedure for the
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minimum amount of food entitlement with transparent, fair and non-
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discriminatory eligibility or certification criteria; and
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3.) A relief mechanism to ensure that such individuals are provided with their
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minimum food requirement.
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Specific support measures will be designed and adopted to-prevent or
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compensate for disadvantages that identified vulnerable persons or groups suffer
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from, with regard to the enjoyment of their right to adequate food.
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Sec. 17. Emergencies. -  The Council, in coordination with the National
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Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, will have the duty to ensure that:
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a.) Food emergencies cover both early warning and preparedness for a crisis,
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as well as organizing and managing food response in the case of a crisis,
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and comply with the right to adequate food and the relevant international
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standards;
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b.) Emergency food responses are compatible with the right to adequate food
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and international standards regulating emergencies; and
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c.) Requests for international assistance are initiated in case of necessity,
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alongside supervising and coordinating 
distribution of food response
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received.
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Sec. 18. Information. -  All government agencies, under the direction of the
11 
Council, in coordination with the Philippine News Agency and Philippine Information
12 
Agency, have a duty to:
13 
a.) Inform the population about the rights established in this framework act
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and about the implementing rules and regulations adopted upon its entry
15 
into force, as well as about any other measure taken for the purpose of
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facilitating and promoting the realization of the right to adequate food;
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and
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b.) Use the most appropriate ways and methods of disseminating information,
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including by providing information in oral ways, and 
in local languages,
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notably in the most marginalized areas and among populations with a high
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rate of illiteracy.
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Sec. 19. Education and Awareness Raising. -  The Council, in coordination with
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the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority, will have the duty to ensure that:
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a.) The school curriculum includes material related to food and nutrition
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education, the right to adequate food, and human rights principles; and
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b.) Adult education and training programs, when relevant, include material
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related to food and nutrition, the right to adequate food, and human
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rights principles.
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Sec. 20. Internationai Cooperation. -  The Council, in coordination with the
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Department of Foreign Affairs, will have the duty to:
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a. ) Ensure that activities undertaken in other countries, including those by
private actors, do not infringe on the enjoyment of the right to adequate 
food by people in the concerned countries; and
b. ) Promote international cooperation and provide assistance to ensure the
realization of the right to adequate food in other countries, if in a position 
to do so.
Sec. 21. Monitoring System. -  There will be an integrated monitoring system 
in which all government agencies at all levels, under the supervision of the Council 
will:
a. ) Collect data related to food and nutrition security, using monitoring
methodologies and processes consistent with human rights principles as 
established by this act;
b. ) Disaggregate collected data by age, sex, status and group;
c. ) Monitor progress achieved in the realization of the right to adequate food;
and
d. ) Establish or identify an early warning mechanism.
The Commission shall also establish fair, independent and accessible recourse 
procedures for complaints and appropriate remedies in case of a determined 
violation of the right to adequate food.
Sec. 22. Representation and Participation o f Peopie's Organizations and Civil 
S ociety.-iQ  guarantee public participation, the Council shall ensure the following:
a. ) Free and meaningful participation, including freedom of information and
freedom of association;
b. ) Consultations on specific areas of implementation of this framework act;
and
c. ) National public hearings every two years, at which the Government is
required to report on progress made with the implementation of this 
framework act, and the progressive realization of the right to adequate 
food in the country.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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Sec. 23. Rationalization o f Policies. -  All existing policies, laws, decrees,
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executive orders, memorandum orders, memorandum circulars, administrative
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orders, and ordinances will be rationalized in accordance with the right to adequate
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food, as provided for by this framework act. Laws affecting the realization of the
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right to adequate food will be interpreted in a way compatible with the right to
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adequate food and this framework act.
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The cabinet secretaries concerned and other executive authorities will report,
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at regular intervals, to the Council, on legislative and regulatory measures that have
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been elaborated and adopted, and the time frames within which they are envisaged
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to achieve their objectives.
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Sec. 24. Pena! Provisions. -  The penalty of prision mayor m\\ be imposed on
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any public or private actor, who deliberately starves or denies access to food to any
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particular individual or group, through the commission of any of the following acts:
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a.) Food blockade;
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b.) Refusal to implement a food-related program;
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c.) Discrimination in implementing a food-related program;
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d.) Negligence in implementing food-related programs;
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e.) Obstructing access to food in time of calamity or war;
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f.) Theft, corruption 
or black marketeering of 
food being given as
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humanitarian aid, in time of calamity or war;
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g.) Distribution of expired, or unsafe food;
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h.) Contamination of food or water sources, through mining activities,
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aerial spraying of plantations, or any other similar means; and
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i.) Other analogous acts.
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The penalty is imposable without prejudice to any other criminal, civil or
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administrative liability under Philippine law.
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Sec. 25. Civil and Administrative Liabilities. -  Any public officer or employee
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who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or
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impairs any of a person's rights guaranteed in this framework act, will be liable to
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this person for damages.
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public or private actors, will similarly give rise to liability for damages.
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It is hereby declared a ministerial duty on the part of the Government to 
ensure the enjoyment of the rights guaranteed in this framework act. Appropriate 
cases may be filed before the courts to compel compliance with the provisions of this 
act. These cases will be without prejudice to liability for damages, as well as 
administrative liability that may be incurred.
Sec. 26. Appropriations. -  There shall be authorized to be appropriated such 
amounts as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Afterwards, such sums 
as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
There will be an allocation of specific and sufficient resources for the purposes 
of the implementation of the right to adequate food, in accordance with priorities set 
by The Commission. The allocation will be aimed at the progressive realization of the 
right to adequate food over the long term. Every person's right to be free from 
hunger can never be deviated from by temporary or permanent cutbacks.
Sec. 27. Reportoria! Requirements. -  The Council shall submit quarterly and 
annually reports to the Office of the President, the Senate of the Philippines, the 
House of Representatives, on the status implementation of this Act and the 
achievements thereof.
Sec. 28. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Commission on Human 
Rights will issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of 
this act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity, in coordination with the 
Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Social 
Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Trade and 
Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Economic and 
Development Authority, and National Anti-Poverty Commission, and people's 
organizations and human rights nongovernmental organizations actively involved in 
promoting the right to food and its components as defined in this Act.
Sec. 29. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 30. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
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to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
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amended accordingly.
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Sec. 31. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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