NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
s.=.Nrm
Ip;*
of iiK
*22 JUL-7 P2:43
RECEIVI D BY:..
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS THROUGH 
INTEGRATING INSTRUCTIONAL GARDENS IN PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULA AND PROMOTING THE USE OF 
URBAN AGRICULTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The prevalent consumption of instant food mixes and other processed food, 
which specifically cater to the palate and food sensitivities of the young, reflects the 
lack of regard for proper diet and nutrition for children, this only shows that child 
nutrition is marginalized and is least understood by a majority of our population.
Pursuant to Section 15, Article II of the Constitution which provides that the 
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them, it is incumbent upon the State to provide programs for 
encouraging awareness in proper nutrition and at the same time address malnutrition. 
This is best done during childhood and taught in schools.
The establishment of vegetable gardens in schools can be an effective tool for 
hunger mitigation and serve as effective teaching school for children to learn the art 
and science of planting as well as the benefits gained from it.
This bill seeks to establish instructional gardens in elementary and secondary 
schools, whether private or public, not only as a means to alleviate hunger but to 
serve as a tool to teach the fundamental concepts about nutrition, the cultural and 
historical aspects of our food supply, as well as the rudiments of planting, considered 
to be a very useful skill for citizens of an agricultural country like the Philippines.
Also, this bill seeks to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical 
farming in the country's urban areas and in other areas in the country where such 
farming methods are suited, as an intervention mechanism for further addressing food 
security concerns of the country.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this biii is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
) .
SENATE
S.B. No. 112
^EUfite
of tljr
72 JUL-7 P2:43
RKCOVKOBV;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS THROUGH 
INTEGRATING INSTRUCTIONAL GARDENS IN PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULA AND PROMOTING THE USE OF 
URBAN AGRICULTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
SECTION 1. Short Titie. - This Act shall be known as the "Instructional Gardens 
and Urban Agriculture Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to promote 
food security, food quality, improved health, fight hunger and malnutrition, poverty 
alleviation, improved quality of environment through greening, reduction in pollution, 
and creation of savings in household expenditures. Towards this end, key reforms for 
the development of appropriate, cost-effective, and environmentally safe agricultural 
practices are hereby encouraged in order to ensure the food security of the country.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. 
be defined as follows:
For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
(a) "Instructional Gardens" refer to a program of instruction in all 
elementary and secondary schools, where knowledge and skills, not only 
in urban agriculture and vertical farming, but in agricultural food 
production in general, are Imparted to school children through relevant 
theories and actual engagement in agricultural cultivation/production. 
The theories and actual production shall revolve around the concepts of 
composting, waste management techniques, healthy and nutritious farm 
produce, sustainable farm practices, among others.
(b) "Urban Agriculture"refers to the practice of cultivating, processing and 
distributing of food in or around a village, town or city. Urban agriculture 
also Involves animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and 
horticulture.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
(c) "Vertical Farming "refers to the method of farming that is brought to the 
urban space by employing the concepts of indoor agriculture in 
skyscrapers and other modern buildings.
SEC. 4. Promotion of and Comprehensive Research on Urban Agriculture and 
Vertical Farming. - For purposes of this Act, the respective Secretaries of the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST) are hereby mandated to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical 
farming in the country's urban areas and in other areas in the country where such 
farming methods are suited, as an intervention mechanism for further addressing food 
security concerns of the country.
Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either the 
national government or local governments or available land resources in state 
universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops, raising livestock, and 
producing food using the said methods.
SEC. 5. Institutionalization of Instructional Gardens in School Curricula. - 
Instructional Gardens program shall be integrated in the academic curricula for 
elementary and secondary level students of both public and private academic 
institutions, particularly in subjects in agriculture, practical arts, home economics, 
and/or other related subjects.
The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the DA, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Section 
within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 6. Local Government Units'Participation. - Local government units (LGUs) 
shall formulate a policy on the practice of urban agriculture and vertical farming, 
utilizing unused spaces and idle lands.
This shall require the enactment of local legislation institutionalizing urban 
agriculture in all levels of the LGU. LGUs shall also grant necessary incentives to their 
constituents who actively participate in urban farming activities.
SEC. 7. Tax Incentives. - All allocations of grants, endowments, donations, or 
contributions and technical assistance provided by private individuals or corporations 
to schools for the promotion and implementation of Institutional Gardens in the school 
curricula, as certified by the DepEd, shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DA and the DOST shall promulgate the necessary IRR 
to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included and incorporated In the annual general appropriations of the 
DA, DOST, and the DepEd.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force 
and effect.
SEC. 11. Repealing Qause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or In the Official 
Gazette.
Approved,