FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
, 
Introduced by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It has been a normal practice in the food industry to be strict in the 
disposal of their excess productions. In the fast food chain, the allowable shelf 
life of their food merchandise before the same is thrown in the garbage bag, 
averages between 10 to 15 minutes. This is in spite of the very fact that it can still 
last and be safe for human consumption in the following day. Shelf life of food 
sold in the fast food only guarantees the peak level of its freshness and is far 
from spoilage. 
However, due to fear of causing undue injury or harm to others and 
consequently facing legal actions due to food poisoning and other related health 
hazards, it has become a norm in the industry to throw away excess food 
products instead of giving it away even for their own employees to take home. 
Considering that there are thousands of restaurants, fast food chains, 
bakeries, markets, hotels and similar establishments all over the country who are 
constantly disposing of their daily excesses, it can be accurately said that we are 
practically throwing away tons of food enough to feed millions of people suffering 
from and dying of starvation. 
Seventy percent (70%) of the country's population is under the poverty 
level. This alone indicates that million of Filipinos are miserably scrounging for 
food anywhere just to survive. 
Consequently, this state of starvation and 
undernourishment make the populace unhealthy, thus, the government needs all 
the support it can get to protect its citizenry from the devastating effect of disease 
caused by malnourishment. 
The same is true with pharmaceutical products. Expiration date stamped 
on medicines is usually over-stated and inaccurate. It has been claimed by most 
medical practitioners that the same still has three (3) months grace period before 
the medical product can be considered ineffective, and yet drug stores already 
dispose of these expired products even before the said grace period. 
This proposed measure which will provide immunity from suit to donors of 
medicines, food and other supplies will definitely encourage all the good 
Samaritans (both local and foreign) to answer the government's call for support 
and assistance. 
The immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought 
A ~ T ~ N I O  
F. TRILLANES IV 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
i\l:.(,:r :'$/Lid t 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE DONATIONS IN GOOD FAITH OF MEDICINES, FOOD 
PRODUCTS OR SUPPLIES BY ESTABLISHMENTS AND OTHER ENTITIES, 
INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS, BY EXEMPTING THEM FROM ANY FORM OF 
LIABILITY ARISING THEREFROM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Samaritan Act of 2007". 
SECTION 1. Title of the Act. - This Act shall be known as the "Good 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and 
protect the interest and social well-being of every citizen of the Philippines by 
ensuring among others the propagation of social justice among the 
underprivileged members of the society by making available to them the basic 
necessities in life which is food and shelter. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following 
shall mean: 
1. Donor- shall refer to all restaurants, hotels, bakeries, fast food chains, 
markets, caterers, cafeterias, pharmacies, manufacturers, distributors, similar 
establishments and other entities (foreign or local) including individuals who are 
willing to give for free - medicines, food products or supplies. 
2. Donee - shall refer to the ultimate beneficiary of donated medicines, 
food product or supplies. 
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3. Civic Groups - shall refer to any group or socio-civic organizations that 
solicit or facilitate and assist in the reception and distribution of donated 
medicines, food products or supplies. 
4. Donated Food Products - shall refer to the medicines, food products or 
supplies that are given voluntarily for free. 
5. Shelf Life - shall primarily refer to the period of time between the 
preparation of food or medicine to its expiration following the normal standards 
set forth by the Bureau of Food and Drugs and other government authorities as 
complied with by every food and medicine establishment and observed, as well, 
by non-commercial entities including private individuals. 
SEC. 4. Limitations on Medicine Donation. - Medicines must only be 
donated to any national or local government unit, including Barangay Health 
Centers, or private group or socio-civic organization and not directly to end 
beneficiaries. Provided, however, that the above indirect recipient shall not give 
the same to the ultimate donee unless there is proper consultation with and 
prescription from a licensed medical practitioner. 
SEC. 5. Coverage. - All Restaurants, hotels, bakeries, fast food chains, 
markets, caterers, cafeterias, pharmacies, manufacturers, distributors, similar 
establishments and other entities, foreign or local, including individuals who 
voluntarily donate medicines, food products or supplies as provided in this Act. 
SEC. 6. Exemption of Donor from Liability- Any provision of law to the 
contrary notwithstanding, any donor who shall donate medicines, food products 
or supplies in good faith for the benefit of a certain individual or group of 
individuals shall be exempt from any civil or criminal liability that may arise from 
injurylharm directly resulting from the intake of donated food products and 
medicines. Provided, however, that any participating civic group, who facilitates 
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the reception and donation of food products and medicines in good faith and in 
compliance with the provisions of this Act, for and in behalf of the ultimate donee, 
shall likewise be exempted from any liability. 
SEC. 7. Monitoring Agency. - The Department of Health shall create a 
monitoring committee within the department to handle and monitor the proper 
implementation and compliance of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - The provision of any law, which are 
inconsistent with the provision of this act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Separability clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall not be 
affected, 
SEC. I O .  Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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