Philippine Culinary Heritage Act

Senate entite at the scretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P1:38 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE EXPLANATORY NOTE Culinary tradition is an integral part of the Philippines' cultural heritage. Food serves not only as nourishment but as a powerful expression of Filipino identity by telling the story of the nation's history, values, and way of life. Despite the diverse culinary practices across regions, food remains a unifying element that brings Filipinos together. The preservation and promotion of Filipino culinary heritage involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders, spanning the sectors of agriculture, tourism, culture, and the arts, and the local and national economy. To preserve our culinary heritage and promote sustainable food security in the country, this bill seeks to provide the necessary support for agriculture and fisheries, especially for small farmers and urban gardeners, to promote traditional cooking methods using heirloom ingredients, as well as to conduct food heritage and regional culinary identity mapping alongside identifying and recording tangible culinary resources using geographic tools. The proposed measure will also establish the Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage, which will be responsible for the formulation and promulgation of policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development, ]

enrichment, propagation, promotion, and preservation of Filipino cuisine, Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy. Ultimately, the bill seeks to strengthen and deepen the understanding and appreciation of our cultural identity through food heritage. In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P1:38 SENATE RECEN/ED S S. No. 822 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF PHILIPPINE CULINARY HERITAGE Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Philippine Culinary

Heritage Act"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism

4 and nationalism among the people, especially through the educational system, and to 5 celebrate the culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures 6 that will elevate its value and prestige.

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

mean: a. Filipino cuisine - refers to the cuisines of the different ethnolinguistic groups or regions in the country. b. Culinary heritage - refers to the recipes or dishes that forefathers or ancestors used to cook or make, incorporating the origins of food-related activities of a cultural group or region c. Heirloom - refers to a valuable object that has belonged to an entity for several generations. d. Heirloom food - refers to a horticultural variety that has survived for several generations. May refer to a vegetable, fruit, or legume that was commonly

grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not widely cultivated in large-scale agriculture. e. Gastronomy - refers to the study of the relationship between food, culture, and tradition of a certain area, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and the science of good eating. f. Regional cuisine - refers to a specific cuisine based on local regions. Regional cuisines may vary based upon food availability and trade, varying climates, cooking traditions and practices, and cultural differences. g. Ethnolinguistic regions- refer to certain geographical areas where particular groups of people speak a common language or culture. h. Disciplines - refer to various fields of learning. i. Culinary mapping - refers to a systematic approach of identifying and recording culinary resources and the food needs of geographical areas or communities, using geographic information systems to support a more rigorous evidence-based approach to planning culinary heritage preservation and gastronomic tourism. j. Gastro diplomacy - refers to concerted and sustained campaigns of public relations and investment by the government often in collaboration with non- state entities, to increase the value and standing of their nation's brand through food.

Sec. 4. Establishment of a Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary

Heritage. - The Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage shall be established under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The Committee under the NCCA, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Constitution, shall have the following powers, functions, and duties: a. Formulate policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further development, enrichment, propagation, promotion, and preservation of Filipino cuisine, Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy; b. Promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines to implement its policies, plans, and programs;

c. Undertake or contract research and other studies to promote the evolution, development, and enrichment of Filipino culinary heritage and gastronomy such as the implementation of culinary mapping for the entire country; d. Ensure the continuous conduct of the annual celebration of Proclamation No. 469, s. 2018 or the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino / Filipino Food Month by being the focal implementing government agency; e. Formulate yearly implementation guidelines and standards for the national celebration and activation of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 or the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino / Filipino Food Month to make sure that all activities are aligned to the purpose of the national celebration; f. Provide annual funding to government-approved regional and national Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino or Filipino Food Month activities as per Presidential Proclamation No. 469; g. Encourage and promote, through a system of incentives, grants, and awards, the writing, publication, and dissemination of gastronomic research papers regarding culinary traditions, practices, heirloom recipes and ingredients, and publication of textbooks and reference materials in various disciplines; h. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department of Education to formally integrate culinary heritage and Philippine gastronomy into the primary and secondary education curricula and/or subjects, such as but not limited to, science, civics, history, arts, and home economics including textbooks, primers, and other educational materials, basic & localized gastronomic principles and concepts; i. Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or any instrumentality of Government or any private entity, institution, or organization for cooperation and assistance in the performance of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; j. Conduct, at the national, regional, and local levels, public hearings, conferences, seminars, and other group discussions to identify and help resolve problems and issues involving the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino culinary heritage, heirloom food, and gastronomy;

k. Coordinate and establish a close relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs to increase the efficiency of gastro diplomacy campaigns of the country; 1. Formulate and adopt guidelines, standards, and systems for monitoring and reporting on its performance at the national, regional, and local levels; and submit to the Office of the President and Congress an annual progress report on the implementation of its policies, plans, and programs; m. Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, its officials and employees and such other personnel as are necessary for the effective performance of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; and dismiss them for a cause; n. Organize and reorganize the structure of the Committee, create or abolish positions, or change the designation of existing positions to meet the changing conditions or as the need therefore arises; Provided, that such changes shall not affect the employment status of the incumbents, reduce their ranks, decrease their salaries or result in their separation from the service; and 0. Perform such other activities which are necessary for the effective exercise of the abovementioned powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities.

Sec. 5. Culinary Mapping. - Concerned agencies, such as the Department of

Education, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Tourism shall conduct food heritage mapping to promote, preserve and raise the awareness among Filipino people of the importance of culinary heritage and tradition preservation. To this end, the concerned agencies shall identify and record tangible culinary resources making use of geographic tools. It shall also conduct regional culinary identity mapping, taking into consideration geography, the food culture of indigenous people; foods and cooking techniques; and economic viability and providing evidence of regional cuisine.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00)

is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the

implementation of this Act shall be appropriated under the NCCA as a distinct and 2 separate item.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, all concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

10 order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,