Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6035

Introduced by: HONORABLE ISIDRO T. UNGAB

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to prescribe measures for the attainment of food security and self-
sufficiency in the country.

Global warming and climate change has been profoundly detrimental to worldwide
agricutture and has been tagged as among the leading causes for the steady decline of global
food stocks. With most major food producing countries lessening their food exports to
secure their country’s domestic food demand, the Philippines needs to adopt an effective
and strategic food security program that shall ensure long-term and adequate food supply
for the Filipino nation.

Rice is the basic food staple of the Filipino. Thus, in order to attain food security in
the Philippines, the country must be, at least, self-sufficient in rice. Ironically, despite the
presence of international agricultural research institutions and a mass of highly trained
scientific manpower in the country, the Philippines still remains one of the top importers of
rice worldwide.

Except for the Masagana 99, the rice self-sufficiency program of the government in
the 1970's that made the country self-sufficient in rice for a few years, all other food
programs implemented by the government failed to achieve long-term rice self-sufficiency
for the Philippines. Up to the present, rice self-sufficiency remains an untulfilled dream of
our people.

To achieve sustainable long-term food security for the Filipino peopie, the
government must urgently adopt and implement a comprehensive and strategic plan of
‘action that shall develop and enhance the country’s domestic food production capabilities,
especially in rice, and bring about economically vibrant communities throughout the country
that are self-sufficient in food.

To benefit the majority of Filipinos who are marginalized and underprivileged, this
measure must be undertaken in the context of an equitable and sustainable development
that warrants for the people in the rural areas of the country, particularly smallholder
farmers, broader opportunities for income and livelihood. Recognizing the pivotal cole that
farmers’ play in the pursuit of national food security, the government must enhance and
develop their technological and financial capabilities by adopting policies and programs that
promote public and private investments in equipment, infrastructure and extension support
services that are necessary for the sustainable development of food production in the
country.



The challenges of hunger and food insecurity that confront the Filipino nation can be
surmounted only by the determined, coordinated and sustained action by both the
government and the people, both working towards the common goal of national food
security,

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly encouraged.

ISIDRO T. YNGAB


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House sino 6035

Introduced by: HONORABLE ISIDRO T. UNGAB

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING MEASURES FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY AND.
‘SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE NATIONAL FOOD
‘SECURITY COUNCIL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION. 1. Short Title, - This Act shali be known as the “National Food Security
Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to develop a self-reliant
and independent national economy effectivety controlled by Filipinos, It is also the policy of
the State to ensure that every Filipino has access at all times to affordable and adequate
supply of food which is produced within the country through the optimum utilization of the
nation’s human and natural resources. Toward this end, the State shall:

a. Ensure physical, social and economic access of every 10 to safe, sufficient

and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life;

b. Intensify local food production by empowering smallholder farmers through
the provision of improved agricultural technology, good quality seeds, infrastructure, low-
cost credit, market, organizational and policy support and other critical support services;

¢. _Institutionalize, support and reward local food production and self-sufficiency,
Programs spearheaded by local government units (LGUs) in partnership with national

agencies, community-based organizations and the private sector;

1 Benvide timely cunnart far Incal fend production and food distribution


® Strengthen Jocal institutions in monitoring, reporting and responding to food
security and self-sufficiency concems.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a. Agriculture refers to the growing of crops, animals, fish and other biological
products used to sustain life;

b. _Givil society organizations refer to a collective term for all voluntary, social
and civic organizations which are outside of government and public or private, business:
oriented institutions;

©. Extension support refers to the sharing of technical, market, policy and related
advisory oF support by public, private and civil society organizations to improve the
technical, business and social capabilities of farmers;

4. Food security refers to the abitity of the State to ensure the availability and

affordability of basic food to all Filipinas;

©. Food self-sufficiency refers to the ability of the country to domestically
Produce basic food requirements, such as, rice and other staples, legumes, fruits and
vegetables, fish, poultry and livestock in sufficient quantities to meet present and future
demand without compromising the environment;

f, _Locatian-specific technology refers to a set of agricultural innovations, such
as, improved crop varieties and management practices, which are adapted to a certain
geographic area or ecosystem;

Media refers to public or private entities engaged in sharing information

through a single or a combination of broadcast, print and web-based channels reaching 3

mass audience;

Post-production refers to the stage of crop management immediately
following harvest;

4 Procurement refers to the acquisition of food products at a fair price to meet


1. Smaitholder farmer refers to individuals and their families who cultivate not
more than two {2} hectare farms with cash crops or livestock and mainly follow a rice-based
farming system; and

k. Social mobilization refers to a coordinated effort to marshal groups of people
and organizations towards a common action to attain desired development objectives.

SEC. 4, National Food Security Council. - To promote the above-mentioned policies,
there is hereby created under the Office of the President the National Food Security Council
{NFSC), hereinafter referred to as the Council. The Council shall serve as the government's
main policy-making and coordinating body charged with the attainment of the Philippines!
food security and self-sufficiency goals.

‘The Council shall be composed of the following:

a. Secretary of agriculture, as Chairman;

b. Secretary of Interior and Local Governments;

©. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;

d. Secretary of Budget and Management;

e. Secretary of Trade and Industry;

6 Administrator, National Food Authority;

h. Administrator, National Irrigation Administration;

L. Press Secretary; and

J. Executive Director, PhilRice, as members.

The term of office of the chairman and the members of the Council, shall be co-
terminus with their office, unless sooner removed for cause, dies or resigns voluntarily.

Members of the Council shafl be entitled to representation and transportation
allowance in the amount of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00} for every meeting

actually attended.


provide the Secretariat which shall assist the Council in the effective performance of its
functions.

SEC. 6. Functions of the NFSC. — The Council shall exercise the following functions:

@ Formulate and develop national policies, plans, programs and projects needed
to achieve national food security and self-sufficiency in the Philippines;

b. Develop, adopt, fund and implement the national food security masterplan;

€. Conduct continuing risks analyses of internal and external factors that affect
local food supply;

d. Allocate and release funding, mobilize other resources and issue guidelines to
LGUs in implementing the programs of the NSFM;

€. Periodically assess intemal and external food security risks, the state of rice
buffer stocks, other food supply, and the country’s preparedness for such risks;

Integrate and synergize various agencies and entities in the imptementation of

the NFSM; and

& Coordinate the implementation of contingency plans for food relief and
production during emergencies, disasters and calamities.

SEC. 7. National Food Security Masterplan (NFSM). —The Council shall formulate,
adopt and implement within six (6) months from the promulgation of this Act, the National
Food Security Masterplan to ensure long-term sustainable food security and self-sufficiency
of the Philippines. The NFSM shall constitute the framework integrating and streamlining the

Programs, measures, initiatives and reforms of the government towards national food

stability and self-sufficiency.
‘The NFSM shall be guided by the following principles:
Every Filipino has the right to have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious
food;

b. The attainment of sustainable national food security and self-sufficiency is the


© Effective research, extension and marketing support services for smaltholder
farmers and other stakeholders involved in food production are the keys in attaining
sustainable food security and self-sufficiency in the country;

d. National policies conducive to agricultural productivity are indispensable for
the achievement of national food security and self-sufficiency; and

@ Reforms that enable the basic food-production sectors to effectively

Participate in decision making and management processes that affect their rights, interests
and welfare must be pursued.

SEC. 8. National Food Production Program.

The Council shall develop a National
Food Production Program (NFPP} to be implemented by the concerned national or local
Bovernment agencies with the following objectives:

a Attainment of national rice self-sufficiency within the shortest time possible;

b. Empowerment to local governments and institutions in planning and
implementing the NFPP with effective extension support services to smallholder farmers;

© Enhanced capacities of the Department of Agriculture {0A} and the
Department of Agrarian Reform {DAR} and the local government units {LGUs} in
Participatory and farmer-centered agricultural research for development planning and
implementation;

d. Self-sufficiency in food of farming communities all over the country;

€. Improved crop-livestock-fish management systems in all barangays;

f Establishment of an efficient and effective national system for post-harvest
handling; storage, and distribution, particularly reduction of inter-island food transport
costs;

& —_ Nationwide deployment of teams of highly competent and skilled agricultural
extension workers (AEWs), subject matter spectalists and jead farmers in all the food

producing provinces; and


provincial governments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private sector in planning
and implementing the NFPP.

SEC. 9. Target Areas, ~ For a more strategic technical and management intervention
towards food self-sufficiency, the NFPP shall systematically map the different food
Production areas, assess risks and opportunities, and identify local interventions in
consultation with stakeholders as specified in a subsequent sub-section.

Priority shall be given to the following areas:

a Icrigated areas or clusters with average rice yields of more than 4.5 tons per
hectare

b. Irrigated areas with average rice yields of more than 2.5 but less than 4.S tons
per hectare

© Rainfed areas with average rice yields of mare than 2.5 tons per hectare

4. Smallhold areas producing other staple crops, local fruits and vegetables.

SEC. 10. Integrated Support Services. — The following support services shall be

mobilized and sustained by NFPP implementing agencies in the target areas identified in the
previous section:
@ Irrigation and Orainage System. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

shall continue to plan, design, develop, rehabilitate, and improve Irrigation facilities. In

addition, NIA shall include a drainage system in all irrigation system designs especially in
flood-prone areas. To ensure the efficient operation of all irrigation facilities, the NIA shail
develop and implement a program to help irrigators’ associations {IA} improve the operation
and maintenance of irrigation facilities including providing grants or soft loans to enhance
and rehabilitate such facilities.

b. Credit, An efficient credit delivery system guided by a sound rural credit

policy geared towards the needs of smallholder farmers shall be established. Its features

shall include, among others, a subsidized credit for smaliholder farmers with a maximum


all service, penalty and other charges. It shall also include minimum collateral
requirements, reasonable payment terms, expeditious loan documentation and Processing
procedures.

 _Location-Specific Technology Development. Appropriate location-specitic
intervention shall be pursued to effectively address specific needs of farmers in the different
rice growing areas due to the varied agro-climatic conditions which vary from province to
Province resulting to great variability in the performance of rice varieties and crop
production technologies.

d. Farmer-Centered and Clustered Extension Services. Agricultural extension
workers (AEWs) shall be mobilized to facilitate discussions with focal farmers to identify
constraints to sustainable food production development in their localities and determine the
appropriate measures to address them. Farmers shall decide what rice variety or crop
management practice to use in their farms. Moreover, training courses to be offered and
conducted shall focus on problems identified by the farmers themselves during assessment
‘and planning with AEWs.

e. Communication and Social Mobilization. The President shall spearhead the
advocacy for rice self-sufficiency. The Secretary of Agriculture and all heads of relevant

national agencies and bureaus shall provide the necessary support in pursuit of this

‘advocacy. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA} shall harness all national media networks
including jocal print and broadcast media in support of this initiative. Local government
officials shall likewise provide support by conducting local information campaigns that focus
‘on enhancing local food production in their areas.

SEC. 11. Post Production initiatives. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
give priority to the establishment of post-harvest support systems in the form of storage

facilities, solar dryers and other post-harvest equipment for smallholder farmers and their

organizations. The DA shall allocate ten percent (10%) of its budgetary allocation for past-


SEC. 12, Procurement and Marketing. — A strong national policy supporting the

Procurement and marketing of smatholder farmers’ produce shall be made to enable them

to optimize their income. The following measures shall be pursued:
a Strengthen the capacity and operations of the National Food Authority (NFA):

i, Domestic procurement of palay shall be increased and rice importation for
buffer stocking reduced commensurate to increasing rates of self-sufficiency.

ii Procurement by the NFA shall be done ‘only from smallholder farmers and
their cooperatives amid transparency measures, such as, posting of NFA beneficiaries
on the NFA website shall be done to ensure compliance with the Magna Carta for
‘Small Farmers.

Uli, The NFA shall maintain a ‘15-30’ buffer stock scheme, with periodic review of
mandated volumes by the Council.

iv. The NFA shall import only what is needed to secure a 30-day buffer stock. The
Private sector shall be allowed to import the balance of the deficit with the NFA
lenporting only the balance of the national requirement not brought in by the private
sector.

¥. The release prices of NFA shail be increased annually to eventually approach
market prices subject to periodic review by the Council especially upon reaching
national self-sufficiency.

vi. NFA’S consumer price stabilization program shall only be used to moderate
price surges and not to keep prices at low levels.

b. Establish an accessible electronic-based Agricultural Commodity Exchange
System that shall serve as the primary mode of marketing assistance for smallholder farmers.
LGUs shall post relevant market information and other related services in the

city or municipal public market and other prominent public places so these are readily

available for farmers, traders and consumers,


universities and colleges and {GUs, shall intensify the conduct of training courses for
farmers’ coaperatives on marketing and related areas.

e. With respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of food

Products, provide effective and sufficient measures against hoarding and profiteering,
especially during periods of calamity and emergency.

f. The devolution of NFA operations shall be carried cut initially on a pilot basis
‘through the selective transfer of its provincial and regional warehouses and other facilities to

well-organized groups of farmers. Towards this, a sustained program shall be implemented

by the DA in developing the capacities af farmers orga

itions in managing NFA facilities
like buying from their members and drying, cleaning, storing and selling their members’
produce to NFA and private retailers or traders in market centers.

SEC. 13. Food Trade Reform. - To enhance the growth of the domestic rice
industry, the following measures shalt be adopted:

a, The quantitative restriction on imported rice shall be allowed to expire on the
last day of the year this Act is promulgated and replaced with equivalent tariffs.

b. Rice exports shall be allowed without certification of surplus from the NFA.

Strategic partnerships with other rice-producing countries in the ASEAN
region shall be strengthened and expanded to lessen risks and costs in trade transactions
and emergency buffer stocking.

d. In the context of dimate change and the price volatility of agricultural
products, tariff schedules shall be reviewed and trade targets due to climate change impacts
shall be re-aligned.

SEC. 14, Food Assistance to the Poorest. — To ensure that every Filipino shall
have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food the following measures shall be pursued
to provide food assistance to the poorest Filipino households:

a, For purposes of the Food Assistance Program the Department of Social


Residents of the poorest municipalities based on 2003 Small Area Estimates
(SAE) of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).
N. Households whose economic condition is equal ta or below the provincial

poverty threshold,

Households that have children 0-14 years old and have a pregnant woman at
the time of assessment.

SEC. 15. Food Production and Relief Plan for Calumities and Emergencies, — All
provincial governments are hereby required to prepare a contingency plan for food relict
and production that shall be immediately implemented during calamities and emergencies.
This contingency plan shall include:

a, Organization and activation of a contingency tearm;

b. Crop damage assessment scheme;

¢. Emergency food and seed relief scheme;

d, Seed production and distribution or exchange scheme;

€. Training and technical assistance on seed and crop production; and
f. Communication and social mobilization scheme.
SEC.16. National Calamity Monitoring ond Risk Assessment Team. - in view

‘of the frequency of typhoons hitting the country, a National Calamity Monitoring and Risk
Assessment Team shall be activated by the DA which shall work with the Philippine

Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Se

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRCC) for the issuance of

warnings, fulletins and damage estimation and assessments. The team shall be equipped

with the latest tools available.
SEC.17, Regular Seed inventory. - Provincial governments shall be required to

do monthly inventories of available seeds in their respective areas for contingency purposes.

These inventories shall be compiled by DA Regional Offices and made available to alt LGUs


from unaffected provinces to those which are damaged. These shall be replenished by the
recipient provinces upon their recovery.

SEC. 18, Expansion of Food Production in Low-Risk Areas. - Provincial
governments shall increase and support food production in low-risk areas during more
favorable cropping periods by encouraging a shift of the main cropping period towards the
dry season. This intervention shall include improving infrastructure, such as, expansion of
irrigated areas, construction of drainage canals in flood-prone areas and the provision of
Post-harvest facilities and warehouses.

SEC. 19. Technical Advice on Replanting. - The DA Regional Offices and

PhilRice shall provide advice on the proper timing of replanting after calamities especially
during the typhoon months from August to November. Advice shall be provided on which
‘areas would do a quick turnaround planting and those that would follow the regular planting

schedule

SEC. 20. information and Sociol Mobilization during Calamities. — A local and

community-based information and communication system for social mobilization during
calamities and emergencies shall be developed by LGUs in coordination with regional offices
of the PAGASA, Philippine Information Agency {PIA) and the local broadcast media.

SEC. 21. Regional Food Security Task Force. — A Regional Food Security Task
Force shall be constituted in every region of the Philippines with the following members:

Chair of the Regional Development Council, as chairman;

bh. OA Regional Executive Director, as co-chairman;

c. Provincial Governors;

d. Regional Director, National Food Authority (NFA);

€. Regional Director, National Irrigation Administration (NIA);

f. Regional Director, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);

8. Regional Director, Department of Trade and industry (DTI);


i. Regional Director, Department of the interior and tocal Government (DILG); as
members.
The term of office of the chairman, co-chairman and the members of the Regional

Food Security Task Force. shall be co-terminus with thair nffien iinloce ennnar enesneund fae

‘cause, dies or resigns voluntarily. In case of death, resignation or removal for cause, the new
member shall serve only the unexpired term.

Members of the Regional Food Security Task Force shall receive a reasonable per
diem which shall not be more than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every meeting
actually attended.

SEC. 22. Functions of the Regional Food Security Task Force. ~ When the
Fegion is self-sufficient in rice, this body shall ensure that the sustainable growth in food
production is maintained and self-sufficiency in other basic food is also achieved. This body
shall work with the Councif to ensure that surplus production in the region will be properly
{inked to markets in food deficit areas and that fair market prices are maintained during peak
harvest periods.

The Regional Food Security Task Force shall have the following functions:

a. Develop, implement and evaluate a regional food security and self-sufficiency
plan and program based on the NFSM and NFPP;

b. Periodically assess and evaluate food security risks in the region and report
these to the Council;

Integrate and synergize the operations of various regional agencies and
entities in line with the regionat food security and self-sufficiency program;

d. Coordinate the implementation of contingency plans for food relief and

production during emergencies, disasters and calamities within the region; and
@. Address grievances atong the regional food security and self-sufficiency plan

and program’s implementation.


Provincial Governor, as chairman;

b. Provincial Agriculturist, as co-chairman;

¢. Municipal Mayors;

d. Provincial Director, NFA;

®. Provincial Director, DSWD;

f. Provincial Director, DILG; as members.

The term of office of the chairman, co-chairman and the members of the Provincial
Food Security Task Force, shalt be co-terminus with their office, unless sooner removed for
cause, dies or resigns voluntarily. In case of death, resignation or removal for cause, the
replacement shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term.

The members of the Provincial Food Security Task Force shall receive @ per diem
which shall not exceed One thousand pesos {P.1,000.00) for every meeting actually attended.

SEC. 24. Functions of the Provincial Food Security Task Force. ~The Provincial
Task Force shall work with the Regional Task Farce to ensure that surplus production in the
Province shail be properly linked to markets in food deficit and that fair market prices are
maintained at the farm gate during peak harvest periods.

The Provincial Food Security Task Force shall have the following functions:

a Develop, implement and evaluate a provincial food security and self-
Sufficiency program based on the regional plan and program;

b. Periodically assess food security risks in the province and feed these to the
Regional Food Security Task Force;

i Integrate and synergize the operations of various municipal governments and
Provincial agencies or entities in pursuing the provincial food security and self-sufficiency
program;

qd. Coordinate the implementation of contingency plans for food relief and

production during emergencies, disasters and calamities within the province; and


SEC. 25, Nationat Food Security Fund. — The amount of Forty-five

jon pesos
(Php 45,000,000) is hereby appropriated as a special fund for national food security and self-
sufficiency for the first year of the implementation of this Act. This appropriation shall
augment current allotments for food production, post-production, procurement and public
food assistance of implementing agencies.

Henceforth, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated
to continuously include and release the amount of thirty-five miliion pesos (Fhp 35,000,000)
5 a special fund for national food security and self-sufficiency as part of the President's
Program of expenditures for submission to Congress.

SEC.26. Regional and Provincial Food Security Fund. — The funding for regional
and provincial food security and self-sufficiency programs shall be allocated from a special
fund for national food security and self-sufficiency and shall be based on the programs
submitted and approved by the Regional Food Security Task Forces.

SEC. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety {90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shail issue the rules and regulations
necessary for its effective implementation.

SEC. 28. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 29. Repealing Clause, — All laws, decrees, executive orders, prociamations,

rent with the

rules and regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof, which are incor

ns of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 30, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,