Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Going to school on an empty stomach is very difficult for children and affects their 
productivity, concentration, critical thinking and creativity. Hunger disrupts the physical 
and mental development of children and also makes them prone to sicknesses and 
disabilities. 
The bill proposes free nutritious food for children in public schools and day care centers, 
sourced from local farmers. In doing so, we are able to give children nutritious meals to 
support their development and at the same time support our local farmers.  
Local farmers' agricultural products are essential to the Philippine economy as well as 
the country's food security. In 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported 
that 10.26 million Filipinos were employed in agriculture alone. The agriculture sector 
would truly benefit if the produce from local farmers are utilized for the intended feeding 
program. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
2:05 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PURCHASE THE 
PRODUCE OF LOCAL FARMERS OR PRODUCERS FOR RELIEF AND SCHOOL 
FEEDING PROGRAMS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared as a policy of the State, 
consistent with the constitutional provisions on social justice and the fundamental 
principles on food security, to ensure local food production. 
As such, priority must be accorded to the produce of local farmers and producers in 
terms of governmental purchases intended for social amelioration policies such as relief 
and school feeding programs. 
Sec. 2. Mandatory Purchase. – The National Government, through its various 
departments and agencies, and local government units shall prioritize the purchase of 
local produce of local farmers and producers intended for relief and school feeding 
programs. Prioritizing the purchase of local produce shall mean the exhaustion of all 
available and applicable local produce at the most reasonable and practicable cost 
before resorting to imported or foreign produce. 
Moreover, in the case of local government units, produce of local farmers and producers 
within their respective territorial jurisdictions shall take precedence over other produce 
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outside their respective territorial jurisdictions to lower transportation or other hauling 
costs in the delivery of such produce. 
 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting the National Government or a local 
government unit to purchase local produce in different political subdivisions, provided 
that the requirement herein set forth is complied with in the case of a local government 
unit. 
 
Sec. 3. Exceptions. – Section 2 of this Act shall not be applicable in any of the following 
cases where the local produce is: 
a) 
No longer fit for human consumption; 
b) 
Insufficient in quantity; 
c) 
More costly and impracticable compared to imported or foreign sources of 
produce; and 
d) 
Inferior in quality. 
 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – For the effective implementation of 
this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government together with the 
Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Agrarian Reform and Health shall 
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act promulgate the implementing rules 
and regulations. 
 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, and rules and regulations inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
 
Sect. 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. 
 
Approved,