Zero Food Waste Act

Senate Sara Office of the Scuretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE FEB -5 P3:52 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1767 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF REDISTRIBUTING AND RECYCLING FOOD WASTE TO PROMOTE FOOD SECURITY EXPLANATORY NOTE Food waste is a pressing global concern that has profound social, economic, and environmental implications. In the Philippines, where millions of families continue to experience food insecurity and malnutrition, the paradox of excessive food wastage amidst widespread hunger highlights a systemic inefficiency in food production, distribution, and consumption. This imbalance underscores the need for a comprehensive and sustainable policy that promotes the responsible management and redistribution of surplus food, which is why this proposed measure seeks to establish a Zero Food Waste Program that will encourage including, but not limited to food producers, manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, and other establishments to recover, reuse, and donate excess but safe food to communities and institutions in need. It also promotes food waste reduction through proper segregation, recycling, and composting initiatives, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, local government units and other concerned agencies. In addition, this measure encourages innovation in food preservation, recycling, and composting technologies to ensure that even non-edible food waste can be

repurposed productively. Such initiatives are consistent with the government's thrust toward sustainable development and environmental protection. By enacting this proposed measure, the State reaffirms its commitment to uphold the right of every Filipino to adequate food and to promote responsible and sustainable consumption. It underscores the shared responsibility of individuals, businesses, and institutions in reducing waste and ensuring that surplus food benefits those who need it most. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LI AWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Senate Office of the Buretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) FEB -5 P3:52 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1787 Senate Bill No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF REDISTRIBUTING AND RECYCLING FOOD WASTE TO PROMOTE FOOD SECURITY Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Zero Food Waste Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that each person has a

4 right to an adequate standard of living, including sufficient food. It is hereby declared a 5 policy of the State to safeguard food security, end hunger, and promote the efficient use 6 of the country's food resources. Towards this end, the State shall adopt a system to promote, facilitate, and ensure the reduction of food waste through redistribution and 8 recycling. The massive amount of food wasted and the considerable number of people 9 going hungry daily is a breach that this Act intends to correct.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall

mean: (a) Food insecure - persons or groups who have difficulty producing or purchasing food to avoid hunger. (b) Edible food waste - food discarded in the retail and consumption stages, determined to be fit for consumption based on standards set by the National Nutrition Council.

(c) Food waste reduction - the decrease of food waste generation, the redistribution of food waste to the food insecure, or the recycling of food as fertilizer or compost. (d) Food-related business - public and private businesses involved in the manufacturing and processing of food products (i.e. food manufacturers), private businesses involved in the wholesaling and retailing of food products (i.e. supermarkets), and private businesses involved in serving food products (i.e. restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels). (e) Food banks - non-profit, charitable or other social mission-driven organizations that distribute food to the food insecure. (f) Inedible food waste - food discarded in the retail and consumption stages, determined to be unfit for consumption based on standards set by the National Nutrition Council. (g) Waste management and recycling enterprises - organizations that manage inedible food waste by converting these into fertilizers or compost.

Sec. 4. National Zero Food Waste Campaign. - The National Nutrition Council

(NNC), in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs), is hereby tasked to undertake a National Zero Food Waste Campaign, and the food waste reduction efforts required of food-related businesses and households through LGUs. The Campaign shall also promote the food waste reduction hierarchy, and recommend means of reducing individual food waste. The DepEd shall have the duty to ensure that the education curriculum includes materials on the current global and national food waste situation, on ways to reduce food waste, on national and local food waste prevention programs, and regarding the provisions of this Act. The DTI shall encourage food-related businesses to purchase lower- price, non-standard size or shape produce to be used in their food products.

Sec. 5. Food-Related Business Waste Reduction Strategy. - Food-related

businesses such as food manufacturers, supermarkets, restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels are hereby required to: (a) Submit an initial report to the DSWD and DENR that contains data on the amount (in tons) of its edible and inedible food waste in the past year, organized according to the manner of disposal, including donation, composting or discarding; (b) Submit an annual report to the DSWD and DENR that contains data on the amount (in tons) of its edible and inedible food waste in the immediately preceding year organized according to the manner of disposal, including donation, composting or discarding; (c) Enter into a contract with food banks to redistribute edible food waste to the food insecure; (d) Ensure that the edible food waste is unadulterated and in good condition upon arrival at the food bank's distribution center; (e) Enter into a contract with waste management and recycling enterprises to recycle inedible food waste into fertilizer or compost; and (f) Reach and maintain food waste levels at the target set by the DENR.

Sec. 6. National Zero Food Waste Scheme. - DSWD, as the coordinating

agency between the food business and good banks, shall: (a) Provide guidelines and standards for the collection, storage, and distribution of edible food donated to food banks; (b) Ensure that food businesses have entered into contracts with food banks and issue acceptance certificated to food businesses; (c) Promote linkages between food banks and LCDs to create a community-based food distribution system for the food insecure; and (d) Create a Self-Sufficiency Program that will provide the food insecure with skills training on managing food banks and livelihood programs to avoid the sole dependence on donation.

Sec. 7. Household and Local Government Unit Waste Reduction Strategy.

- LGUs are hereby required to: (a) Submit an annual report that contains data on the amount (in tons) of inedible food waste that can be recycled as raw material for fertilizers or compost to the DENR; (b) Initiate waste segregation efforts per household through local campaigns; (c) Enter into a contract with waste management and recycling enterprises to recycle inedible food waste from households into fertilizer or compost; (d) Shoulder the costs of transporting inedible food waste from collection areas to waste management sites; and (e) Reach and maintain inedible food waste levels at the target set by DENR.

Sec. 8. Tax Incentive. - Food related businesses that donate edible food to food

banks shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as an allowable deduction from their gross income, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the NNC, in coordination with the DSWD, DENR, DepEd, DTI, DOH, and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 10. Periodic Review. - The implementing agencies shall submit an annual

report to Congress on the progress in the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The funds needed to implement this Act shall be

included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, proclamations, rules,

regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,