CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance establishing a food bank in the city in times of public health emergencies and disasters.
Authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon, the “Food Bank Ordinance of Cebu City” was approved during the City Council's regular session last August 12, 2020.
“In times of disaster and public health emergency, addressing the fundamental need for safe, adequate and nutritious food of the Cebuanos particularly the marginalized communities and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, PWDs, children and informal settlers, should be a top priority of the local government and has to be urgently met, not as a gesture of charity, but as matter of right,” said Dizon.
The food bank is to be managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). It shall adopt both the "front line" model which is giving out food directly to the poor and hungry and the "warehouse" model which is supplying food to intermediaries like community kitchens and other frontline organizations who are doing hunger-relief assistance in times of public health emergencies and disasters.
Section 4 requires the DSWS to develop “dynamic and multisectoral food distribution plans” for potential scenarios in a public health emergency and disaster that will ensure that people in marginalized and disadvantaged communities will get food for the duration of the crisis.
Such response plans must be adaptable and science-driven such as food supply-chain analysis; developing a food distribution network (supply points, processing and packaging facilities, and points of delivery) based on census tract and socio-geographical studies on the city’s vulnerable communities; and using the power of algorithms to create an emergency supply chain network that is dynamic, efficient, and responsive to the actual and/or anticipated needs of the population, among others.
These plans shall be revisited and updated every year.
“The Cebu City government shall partner with private companies, food manufacturers, and dining establishments to facilitate the cycle of food donation. All donations have to strictly comply with the requirements set forth under Republic Act No.10611 or The Food Safety Act of 2013 and other existing pertinent laws,” Section 5 reads.
To ensure that donated food items are safe for human consumption, the DSWS, in coordination with the City Health Office, shall conduct thorough evaluation of food items gathered from donors and partners before stocking and distribution to the beneficiaries.
Section 7 provides that to recognize and encourage private sector participation in terms of donation of food merchandise to ensure sustainability of food supplies in the food bank, donors may be granted tax incentives in accordance with law.
Further, DSWS shall establish other forms of incentive system to recognize donors and all partners in the implementation of the program.
Section 8 states that the reselling of donated food merchandise is strictly prohibited.
The following fines shall be imposed: P1,000 for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and P5,000 and/or imprisonment not more than one month at the discretion of the court for third offense.
Section 10 reads, "to ensure that all donations are properly accounted for, the DSWS shall prepare an itemize listing of all donations and list of beneficiaries who receive the donated food merchandise. This will rationalize the inventory report that shall be prepared to further promote transparency. The list shall be regularly submitted to the Cebu City Council, Office of the Mayor and post the same at the official website of the Cebu City government."
Upon approval of the ordinance, a Food Bank Governing Board shall be created which comprises of the duly authorized representative of the Mayor as chairperson; Head, Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) as vice chairperson; and two members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from each legislative district, Head, City Health Department, Head, General Services Office (GSO), and two representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the Mayor as members.
They will be responsible for driving forward the strategic direction of the food bank and ensuring viability and sustainability of its operation.
“There is hereby appropriated the initial amount of Three Million Pesos (3,000,000.00) for this program and the activities to be undertaken therein to establish and ensure the full operation of the food bank,” Section 13 provides.
The DSWS is tasked to implement the provisions of the ordinance and formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations. — JMD (FREEMAN)