Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBi||No.7997
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone Diistrict, Quirino
AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATHD URBAN AGRICULTURE IN URBAN
AREAS NATIONWII)E T0 ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
TheConstitutionprovidesfortheprotectionandpromotionoftherighttohealthofthepeople(Article
11,  Section  15),  as  well  as  proper  nutrition,  especially  of children  (Art.  XV,  Sec.  3).  As  such.  the
Philippines  has  adopted  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development  and  its   17   Sustainable
Development Goals.  Under Sustainable Development Goal  2, the Philippines has  committed tlo end
hunger,   ensure  food  security,   improve  nutrition,  increase  agricultural  productivity  and  pr{)mote
sustainable, rest lient food production systems.
iie:s::::td;t::::I,;:soe:jt,;I:::st;c;j#{jg;n;¥c::yuarjj:;:1:r:ai:at;i::e:ii;8::fiis;edcfifs;:a§;:t;O;:'tfai:tie:art;;£o3:i:Td;:i:.i:e§';,:i,'ai:e:
tphoaptu%{:nod:0.thatnumberWillincreaseto102millionpeople,orabout65percentofthetota|
It is  in this  setting that urban agriculture presents way to  contribute to the problem of insecuri.ty by
facilitating the  productive  use  of open  spaces  generating  income  and  employment while  soul.ce  of
food  providing  nutritious  for  the  growing  ul.ban  sectol.s.   Prior  studies  have  shown  that   urban
I  Baclig, Cristina Eloisa. 2022. "World Food Day 2022:  Rising Costs Keep Millions in PH Away from Healthy
Diets."           Philippine           Institute           for           Development           Studoes.           October           17,            2022.
https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/world-food-day-2022-rising-costs-keep-millions-in-ph-€iway-
from-healthy-diets.
2  Nguyen,  Trinh.  2022.  "Why  the  Philippines  ls  so  Vulnerable  to  Food  Inflation."  Carnegie Endowment  for
lntemational        Peace.        Carnegie        Endowment        for        lnternational        Peace.        July        13,        2022.
}ttBP:i:/ec,aornn:,g#,Tnda°r:.m2eon£.2°.r##o2r:/gil/{]p:/n::y;Pehj:}Ptpjn::;{es-{Sn°-*naenra5:e;t:::?t:::?tiasj£?:Ppuhb{i:p7p4:::.News
Ageenn:yi:¥`7¥5.';::,2d.Et::Sk:`/#hponsa.£%.npgrvianrt!:'rebsa/:[Z::a7s2.toDoubieto|o2Mby2o5o."INQUIRER.net.
INQUIRER.net. May 29, 2017. https://newsinfo.inquirer.nev900745/world-bank-filipinos-living-in-urban-areas-
to-double-to-102m-by-2050.
1


agriculture   can   suppoi.t  the  economic,   social  and   envii.onmental   sustainability   of  cities.   Urban
agriculture is also shown to play a I.ole in reducing urban poverty and food insecurity.
When  enacted  into  law,  this  legislation  shall  require  the  local  government  units  to  promote  urban
farming in their jurisdictions by developing idle government and private lands  for the said pul.pose.
This is to improve  local  food system  infrastructure, alleviate poverty,  and  food  security particularly
for the city dwellers.  This also seeks to  integrate urban agriculture  in the academic curriculum  for
priinary  and  secondary  education  while  the  higher  education  shall  develop  curriculum  on  capacity
building programs in support of urban farming.
This   measure   previously   passed   the   third   reading   in   the   l8`h   Congress.   It   was   proposed   by
Representatives Estrellita Suansing, Horacio P. Suansing, Jr., Loren Legarda, Michael Edgar Aglipay,
Michael  Odylon  L.  Romero,  Jose  Francisco  "Kiko"  Benitez,  Christopher  V.P.  De  Venecia,  Ruth
Mariano-Hemandez,  Manuel  D.  Cabochan,  Ill,  Camille  A.  Villar,  Precious  Hipolito  Castelo,  Joy
Myra   Salvador-Tambunting,   Lord  Allan   Jay  Velasco,   Leo  Rafael   M.   Cueva.   Rico  a.   Geron,
Geraldine  a.  Roman,  "Kuya"  Jose  Antonio  R.  Sy-Alvarado,  Faustino  Michael  Carlos  T.  Dy,  Ill,
Kristine  Singson-Meehan,  Allan  Benedict  Reyes,  Jose  "Ping-Ping"   I.   Tejada,  Argel  Jose|)h  T.
Cabatbat,   Amihilda J,  Sangcopan,  Fernando  T.  Cabredo,  Micaela S.  Violago, Wilfredo  "Will.y"  S.
Caminero,  Frederick W.  Siao, Abdullah D.  Dimaporo, Isagani  S.  Amatong, Virgilio  S.  Lacsori, Na.
Lucille L. Nava, Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr., Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" C. Villanueva, Domingo C. Rivera,
Gerardo P. Valmayor, Jr., Henry R. Villarica, lan Paul L.  Dy, Jesus "Bong" C. Suntay, Carl N.icolas
C.  Cari,  Angelo  Marcos  Barba,  Rosanna  "Ria"  Vergara,  Resurreccion  M.  Acop,  Shirlyn  Bafias-
Nograles, Manuel T. Sagarbarria, Teodorico T. IIaresco, Jr., Macnell Lusotan, Sharon S. Garin, ]Loma
C.  Silverio,  Greg  G.  Gasataya,  Alyssa  Sheena P.  Tan,  Josephine  Veronique  R.  Lacson-Noel,  Rose
Marie "Baby" J. Arenas, Ferdinand L. Hemandez, Pablo John F. Garcia, Rufus 8. Rodriguez, Xavier
Jesus D. Romualdo, Ria Christina G.  Farifias, Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte, Stella Luz A. Quimbo,
Elenita Milagros "Eileen" Ermita-Buhain, Joey Sarte Salceda, Junie E. Cua, Romeo M. Jalosjos, Jr.,
Francisco .Tose "Bingo" F. Matugas, 11, CPA, CESO, LLB, Jose Enrique "Joet" S. Garcia, Ill, Ruwel
Peter S. Gonzaga, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Juliette T. Uy, Paul Ruiz Daza, Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong,
Manuel F.  Zubiri, Loma P.  Bautista-Bandigan, Peter John D.  Calderon, Luis N. Campos, Jr., David
"Jay-Jay" C. Suarez, Sandro L. Gonzalez, Romeo S. Momo, Vincent Franco "Duke" D. Frasco, Way
Kurat Zamora, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Joseph Sto. Nifio a. Bemos, Narciso R. Bravo, Jr., All:`el M.
Bascug, Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Alfred C. Delos Santos, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Jumel Anthony I.
Espino, Jocelyn F. Fortuno, Ann K. I]ofer, Cesar "Jawo" I. Jimenez, Jr., Glona G. Labadlabad, Mario
Vittorio  "Marvey"  A.   Marifio,   Maricel  G.  Natividad-Nagafro,  MD,   Pablo  C.   Ortega,   Em.marie
"Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon, Eddiebong G. Plaza, Strike 8. Revilla, Hector S. Sanchez, John Reyna.Id M.
Tiangco, Kristine Alexie 8. Tutor, Diego "Nonoy" C. Ty, Lawrence "Law" H. Fortun, Leonal'do L.
Babasa, Jr., Wes Gatchalian, Raymund Democrito C. Mendoza, Jericho Jonas 8. Nograles, Josephine
Ramirez-Sato, Roman T. Romulo, Edgar S. Sarmiento, Luis Raymund "Lray" F. Villafuelle, Jr., Erie
G. Yap, and Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga as principal authors thereof.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
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Republicofchephilippines
HOU SE 0F REPRESFNTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBiHNo.7997
Introduced by Repi.esentative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURE IN URBAN
ARIAS NATIONWIDE T0 ADDRBSS FOOD SECURITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress a.ssembled:
I        SECTION  1.  Sfoo7`J  rj.//e.  ~ This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the  "Integrated  Urban  Agriculture  Act  of
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SHC 2. Dec/crrcrfz.o# o/Po/j.c)/.  -The State shall promote and protect the fundamental right of every
person to adequate food and freedom from hunger. Recognizing the challenges to food  security and
ecological  balance  in  urban  areas,  the  State  shall  optimize  the  use  and  productivity  o.f urban  land
resources and spaces to support sufficient and sustainable food production. Towards this end, the State
shall  promote  the  development  of modem,  cost-effective,  space-efficient  and  environrnentally~safe
agriculture technologies in urban areas to contribute in achieving sustainable food production and food
security, promotilig agro-ecology, ensuring public and mental health and thus improving the quality of
life of urban populations. In doing so, the State shall prioritize the conservation of the country's genetic
biodiversity,  and  endemic and heirloom flora and fauna as a strategy for climate change adaptation,
mitigation and resiliency.
Accordingly, the State shall ensure the integration of principles, strategies and tec'hnologies on
urban  agriculture  in  urban  planning,  and  instill  a  love  of  farming  among  urban  dwellers  most
especially the youth.
Snc. 3. De/#j./j.o# o/rerms. -As used in this Act:
(a)  i4gro-eco/ogy refers to a scientific discipline and  set of practices that studies how different
components  of  tlie  agroecosystem   interact,  and  seeks  sustainable  farming  systems  that
optimize   and   stabilize  yields.   It  applies   ecological   concepts   and  principles   to   manage
interactions  among  plants,  animals,  humans  and  the  environment  for  food  security  and
nutrition;
(b)  Commw#r.ty  Gczrde#.q  refer to  any  piece  of land  cultivated  by  group  of people  using  either
individual or shared plots on public or private land with the consent of the owner, to produce
edibles,  such  as  herbs,  vegetables,  fruits  or omamentals,  as a form  of sustainable  land  use
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system   for  economic  and  societal   development.   Community  gardens  may  be   found  in
neighborhoods  and schools,  or connected to  institutions such  as hospitals or located on the
grounds or roofs of shared housing, such as tenements and apartment complexes;
(c)  Food  Pores/  GOJ.de#j.ng  refers  to  multi-layered  crop  faming  or  a  low  maintenance  and
sustainable method of food production that is based on woodland ecosystems,  ilicoxporating
fruit  and nut trees.  shrubs,  herbs,  vines,  and  perennial  vegetables  which  yields  are  directly
useful to humans. It also refers to a system of agro-forestry that creates diverse, productive,
healthy, ecologically-sound and sustainable system of land use;
(d)  FoocJ Sec#r;.ty refers to a situation wherein all people have access to sufflcient, safe, nutritious
food, at all times, to maintain a healthy and active life;
(e)  Food sysfe"  refers  to  a  complex  web  of activities  involving  the  production,  processing,
transport, and consumption of food. Issues concerning the food system include the governance
and economics of food production, its sustainability, the degree to which we waste food, how
food  production  affects  the  natural  environment  and  the  impact  of food  on  individual  and
population health;
(f)   Good ,4grj.cw//wr¢/ Prc!cf!.ces refer to the practices that address environmental, economic, and
social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in safe €ind quality food and non-
food agricultural products;
(g)  Jd/e  /cr#cJs  refer  to  non-agricultural   lands  in  urban  and  urbanizable  areas  on  which  no
improvelnents have been made by the owner, as certified by the city, municipal ()r provincial
assessor. Idle government lands refer to lands owned by any government entity that have been
idle and have not been used for the pulpose for which they have been reserved for the past ten
(10)years;
(h)  J#c7oor /armj.#g  refers  to  controlled  environment  agriculture  which  aims  to  optimize  plant
growth   to   house   vertical   faming   techniques   in   greenhouses,   warehouses,   abandoned
buildings,  shipping  containers,  turmels,  skyscrapers  and  modem  buildings  using  soilless
farming techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics;
(i)   /#/egr„d wrdcz# agrl.cw//w7.e refers to the development paradigm that encompasses principles,
management  technologies,   and   the   policies   relating  to   the  practice   and   application   of
agricultural and fisheries production of food and goods in urban areas;
0)   j'erj-wroa# crrec7s  refer to areas where urban and rural features and processes meet,  interact
and intertwine, usually located between city and countryside. Peri-urban areas ae semi-dense
clusters with a density of at least three hundred (300) inhabitants per square kilometer and a
population of five thousand (5,000) or more, but are neither contiguous with nor within two
(2) kilometers of an urban area;
(k)  Pro/ec/ed crg7icw//wJ.e  refers  to  the  use  of technologies  that  enclose  crops  to  harvest higher
yields,  safer,  cleaner    and  of better  quality  even  out  of season  by  modifying  the  natural
environment and protect crop against the elements which include high temperature, excessive
rainfall, humidity, wind, birds, insects;
(I)   Soci.cr/ prepczrcrJj.o#  refers  to  the  series  of activities  designed  to  prepare the  underprivileged
and homeless families to cope with the changes t)fought about by government development
projects;
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(in) Sol.//ess  crgr!.cw//wre  refers to the method  of growing plants that do not rely on the soil  as a
source of nutrients and water; common methods are hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics;
(n)  I/rbcm  crrec7s  refer to  classification  as  may  be  made  by the  Philipi)ines  Statistics  Authority
(PSA) which under PSA Resolution No. 01, Series of 2017-098, covers any of the following:
-      Ifa barangay has a population size offive thousand (5,000) or more;
-      If a  barangay  has  at  least  one  establishment  with  a  minimuin  of one  hundred  (100)
employees;
-      Ifa barangay has five (5) or more establishments with a minimum of zero (0) employee,
and five (5) or more facilities within the two (2)-kilometer radius from the barangay hall;
(o)  I/;.ba#  p/cI„#!.#g   refers   to   multi-disciplinary   art   and   science   of  analyzing,   specifying,
clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the use and development of land and water
resources,  in relation to their environs, for the development of sustainable communities and
ecosysteins in urban and urbanizable areas;
a)  Urba#..zc!b/e ci/.eos refer to sites and lands which, considering the present characteristics and
prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential of becoming urban areas within the
period of five (5) yeai.s; and
(q)  yer/j.ccr//c7mj#g refers to the methods or practices of increasing the number of plants grown
in   an   area   by   growing   crops   in   vertically   stacked   layers;   such   as   genera.lly   done   in
greenhouses, warehouses, abandoned buildings, shipping containers, tumels, skyscrapers and
modem  buildings  using  soilless  farming  techniques  such  as  hydroponics,  aquaponics  or
aeroponics.
SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall or abandoned government cover idle or private lands, buildings,
shipping containers, subdivisions or villages, public housing, open spaces in all urban, peri-urban and
urbanizable  areas  in the  country;  and  all  available  land  resources  and  buildings  in  schools,  state  or
private  universities  and  colleges,  military  camps  suitable  for  growing  crops  and  raising  poultry,
livestock and aquaculture: Provi.c7ed,  7%a/, the utilization of idle lands for urban agriculture purposes
shall not be used as grounds for the eviction of infomal settler families occupying the lands,. Provj'dec7
/wr/Aer, That, the raising of poultry and livestock shall be limited to urbanizable areas and all livestock
raising  shall be subject to  health and safety standai.ds  and  regulations  issued by the Department of
Health @OH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources a)ENR), Department of Human
Settlements and Urban Development @H SUD) and other relevant government agencies.
SEC. 5. I/rba# Fcrrmi.#g. - Local government units (LGUs) shall identify and develop idle government
and private  lands and Buildings,  without prejudice to the rights of owners of private lands, buildings
and open spaces, within theirjurisdiction, for full or partial conversion solely  to community gardens,
food  forest  gardens,  indoor  farms  and/or  vertical  fans  to  support  food  security  and  community
nutrition;  Pj.ov;.ded,  77}cl/,  food  forest  gardens  and  urtian  fams  adopting  agro-ecological  principles
shallbethepriorityformofurbanagriculturewhereverapplicableandfeasible;Provided further,That,
spaces  allocated   for  ufoan  agriculture  and   aquaculture  shall  not  Oe  prime   lots.   All   LGUs,   in
coordination with the  Deparment of Agriculture (DA)  and the Cooperative Development Authority
(CDA),   shall  capacitate  neighborhood  associations  and  people's  organizations,  and  facilitate  the
organization  and  registration  of community-based  cooperatives,  to  undertake  community  gardening
and establish community farmers' markets.
Nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  to  limit  or  extinguish  the  rights  of owners  to  their
privatelandsandspaceswithouttheirconsentorwithouttheirreceiptofjustcompensation,incaseof
expropriation.
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The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) shall  ensur: .that
the(lesignanddevelopmentofsubdivision,condominiumandpublichousingprojectshaveprovisions
for adequate spaces for cominunity gardens, food foi.est gardens, greenhouse agriculture, roof gardens,
indoor farms and vertical farms.  Towards this end, the DHSUD,  in coordination with the DA,  shall
capacitatehomeowners'associationstoundertakecommunitygardeningandverticalfarming.
The DA  shall  provide the necessary technical  assistance  and  support services,  including the
provision  of seeds  and  seedlings  and  gardening  tools,  access  to  loans  from  government  financial
institutions,  and  training  workshops  that  shall  capacitate  various  stakeholders.  It  may  assist  in  the
design,  establishment  promotion  and  regulation  of indoor  and  vertical  farming  machineries  and
facilities to  ensui.e tlie  full  productivity  of community gardens,  school  gardens,  food forest gardens,
greenhouse farms,roof gardens,andindoorandverticalfarms.TheDAshanensurethatthetechnical
assistance provides  is consistent with  Philippine Good Agricultural  Practices (PHILGAI') or a set of
standardsandregulationsensuringfoodqualityandsafety,facilitationofmarketaccess,establishment
of community farmers  markets  and reduction  in non-compliance with issuances regarding permitted
pesticides  and  other  contamination  hazards,  as  provided  under  Republic  Act No.  10611,  otherwise
known as the "Food Safety Act of 2013", and relevant laws.
The   DA,   in   coordination   with   the   Department   of  Science   and   Technology   (DOST),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Energy  (DOE), and
the Department of Public Works And Highways (DPWH) shan  also  undertake the estat)lishment of
rainwaterharvestingfacilitiesincompliancewithRepublicActNo.6716,entitled,"AnActProviding
for the Construction of Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors, Development of Spring and Rehabilitation
of Existing  Water  Wells  in  All  Barangays  in  the  Philippines",  renewable  energy  systelns  and  solid
waste  management  systems,  including  waste-to-energy  facilities,  to  provide  sustainable  supply  of
water, energy and compost to community gardens, food forest gardens and urban farms.
SEC. 6. I/J.6a# j4grj.cw/% cmdj4g"ac%/fore ..n I/roan P/a##!.#g. ~ The DHSUD, in coordination with
the DA, shall ensure the integration of concepts and principles of urban agriculture and its relationship
to  other  processes  in  the  food  system  in  urban  planning.  Accordingly,  the  DHSUD  and  DA  shau
proinote  sustainable,  smat  and  organic  food  production  systems  that harness  the  bent3fits  of new
technologies  and  methods  in  soil,  nutrient,  water  and  energy  management  such  as  composting,
rainwater harvesting and utilization of renewable energy. The DHSUD shall also ensure the ratioml
use of land resources in urban planning t{) promote sustainable peri-urban interface, as well as for the
spatial  requirements  of supi)ly  chain  management  and  logistics  to  strengthen  urban-rul.al  foodshed
linkages.
Towards  these  ends,  the DHSun  shall  promulgate guidelines for  the hamonization  of the
comprehensive  land  use  plans  and  zoning  ordinances  of  LGUs  with  urban  agriculture  policies,
frameworks, strategies and standards.
All   LGUs  are  hereby  mandated  to  incorporate  urban  agricultural   development  in  their
respective  Annual  Development  Plans,  Annual  ln\Jestment  Plans,  Physical  Framework  Plans,  and
Development  Master  Plans  including  the  hiring  of  agriculturists  and  agricultural  and  biosystems
engineers to carry out urban agriculture program.
Likewise,   LGUs,   with   the   assistance   of  the   DA,   Department   of  Interior   and   Local
Goverment (DILG)  and the Department of Information  and  Communications Technology  (DICT),
shau   establish   and   maintain   a  digital   information   system   to   facilitate   the   efficient  collection,
management  and  analysis  of urban  food  systems.  agriculture  and  nutrition  data,  as  weu  as  the
monitoring and  evaluation of LGU performance vis-a-vis the food system, agriculture and  nutrition
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1        targets, to inform local planning, policy-making and programming bodies, and to ensure open public
2       access to data.
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SEC. 7.  Urbc7# AgJ.I.cw//#re/4wcicw/fwre Ed#ccr/z.o;?. -The Department of Education @epEd) and the
Commission on Higlier Educations (CHED), with the technical assistance of the DA, shall integrate
urban agriculture in the academic curriculum for elementary, secondary and tertiary level students of
both  public  and  private  academic  institutions  offering courses  in  Agriculture,  Practical  Arts,  Home
Economics  and  other  subjects  related  to  agriculture.  A  course  curriculum  on  gardening  shall  be
developed   and   included   in   the   regular   curriculum   of  elementary   and   secondary   education.
Instructional  materials  shall  likewise  be  developed  utilizing  advanced  techniques  of crop  and  food
animal  production,  urban  agriculture  and  farming,  and  cultivating  awareness  and  appreciation  of
genetic biodiversity, heirloom and endemic flora and fauna, and agro-ecological principles.
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14                       The DepEd, with the assistance of the DA, shall strengthen the impleinentation of its Gw/cr)/ci#
15       scz pcrcrrcz/cm program in elementary and secondary schools. The establishment of school gardens shall
16       be  encouraged  to  ensure  continuous  supply  of vegetables  for  school  feeding,  in  accordance  with
17        Republic Act No.11037, otherwise known as the  ``jwas#s/cz#s}ic}#g p¢g4wl.# Pcrrc"cr Bata#g pj./i.pj.#o
18       4c'."
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20                       For universities and colleges, urban agriculture sliall form part of the required period of time
21        spent by students in theNational service Training program.
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23                       A  plan for the utilization or maximization of space occupied by schools shall  be formulated
24        specifically for urban agriculture purposes.
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SEC.  8.  Urbcz#  ,4gr;.cw//#re  ,4wclre#ess  Co"pc[j.gr.  -  The  DILG,  National  Nutrition  Council,  and
LGUs are mandated to formulate policies on urban farming in consonance with the provisions of this
Act and be at the forefront of community-based education and awareness campaigns. For this purpose,
LGUs  shall  mobilize  existing structures  and  local  bodies  such  as the provincial,  city and  municipal
agricultural offices, the provincial, city, municipal and barangay agriculture and fishery councils, the
provincial,  city,  municipal,  and  barangay  federation  of Sc7#ggwi7!.any KabczfcraJc  (SK)  and  the youth
sector represented in any local special body under LGUs.
The   Department   of  Social   Welfare   and   Development   (DSWD)   shall   integrate   urban
agriculture  and  commLmity  nutrition  in  the  seminar-workshops  and  training  programs  to  educate
qualifiedhousehold-beneficiariesofthepa#/crwi.dpo"r./ya#gpj./I.p!.#oprogrcm(?PsJ.
SEC. 9. ResecJ/.c¢ c7i.d Deve/opme#/.  - The DA and the DOST, as well as relevant state universities,
research government and development institutions,  and the private sector,  shall  intensify research on
methods and technologies to  support urban agriculture,  including the development and  operation of
sustainable  demonstration  urban  community  gardens,  food  forest gardens,  greenhouse,  indoor,  roof
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SEC.  10.  J#ce#/I.vex.  -  Compliance  by  subdivision  and  condominium  developers  and  owners  with
Section  5  of this  Act may  qualify them  for  incentives provided for under Republic Act No.  10771,
otherwise  known  as  the  "Philippine  GI.een  Jobs  Act  of 2016",  subject to  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated by the Department of Finance and the DHSUD.
The  commitment  and  performance  of LGUs  in  the  implementation  of this  Act  shall  be
included in the criteria for the awarding of the Seal of Good Local Governance and the provision of
incentives, provided for under Republic Act No.  11292, otherwise known as "The Seal of Good Local
52       GovemanceActof2019."
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Loans  extended  by government and private banks to participating individuals,  corporations
and  partnerships  shall  be treated  as  compliance with  Republic Act No.  10000,  otherwise  known  as
4       "The Agri-Agra Reform credit Act of2009."
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SEC.  I I. /#fe/.-j4ge#c}; Coorc7z.77cz/J.o#. -There is hereby established a National Convergence Program
on  Urban  Agriculture  and  Aquaculture.  The  DA  is  hereby  designated  as  the  Lead  Implementing
Agency and the Secretariat of the Convergence Program. The following agencies shall perform duties
and responsibilities in order to develop and sustain concerted action to promote urban agriculture:
a)    The  DA  shall  provide  technical  assistance  and  support  services  to  LGUs,  community-
based  cooperatives,  homeowners'  associations.  neighborhood  associations  and  people's
organizations to ensure the viability and cost-effectiveness of urban agriculture projects
and  through  its  Bureau  of  Agricultural  and  Fisheries  Engineering,  shall  provide  the
design,   specifications,   establishment   strategies,   promotion,   regulation   arid   technical
assistance in the fabrication of production models of indoor farming, vertical farming and
other urban agriculture machineries, equipment and facilities;
b)   The  DHSUD  shall  encourage  the  integration  of ui.ban  agriculture  principles,  policies,
strategies, frameworks and standards in the design and development of subdivisions and
condominium  projects.  The  DHSUD  shall  ensure  such  integration  in  public  housing
projects and in the preparation or updating of development and investment plans,  CLUPs
and zoning ordinances of LGUs. The DHSUD shall also promiilgate the necessary rules
and monitor compliance therewith. The DHSUD shall provide assistance to homeowners'
associations  to  strengthen  their  capacity  to  undertake  urban  agriculture  or  aqunculture
projects in their neighborhoo(ls and communities
c)    The DILG shall monitor the compliance of LGUs with the provisions of this Act in order
to  determine  their  qualiflcation  for  the  incentives  provided  under  Republic  Act  No.
11292;
d)    The DepEd shall integrate the principles and practice of urban agriculture using advanced
crop production techniques like soilless agriculture, indoor faming or vertical farming to
include  modem  methods  of  irrigation  and  automated  systems  into  the  primary  and
secondary  educzition  curricula,  including the  establishment of school  gardens  under the
G"/eya# scz Pacirc!/cr"  Progra.in.  The  DepEd  shall  ensure the  aclequate  capacity building
programs such as training-workshop, hands-on training or immersion program of teachers
and the development of appr()priate instructional materials such as educational video and
manual for this purpose;
e)    The DOST shall conduct research on modem, cost-effective methods and technologies to
support urban agricultural production, as well as post-harvest handling of surplus produce
from ui.ban agriculture projects;
I)    The  DTI  shall  provide  technical   assistance  in  processing  and  packaging  of  surplus
produce  from  urban  agriculture  and  aquaculture  projects  and  ensure  access  of  local
gove[.nment units, cooperatives, homeowners'  associations, and people's organizations to
markets;
g)    The I)OF shall administer the grant of incentives under Section  10 of this Act to qualified
persons based on their compliance with Section 5 of this Act;
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h)   The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall ensure adequate funding for the
functions and progi.ams provided for by under this Act;
i)     The CHED shall develop and implement curriculum on capacity building programs such
as training-workshop, hands-on training or immersion program and related standards and
instructional materials in support of urban agriculture;
j)    The DPWH in compliance with RA 6716 is mandated to undertake construction of water
wells,  rainwater collectors,  development of springs  and  rehabilitation  of existing water
wells   in  all   barangays   in  the  Philippines,  taking   into  consideration  the  population,
hydrologic   conditions,   costs   of  project   development   and   operations,   flnancial   and
econom ic factors and institutional arrangements.
k)    The National Nutrition Council and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute shall assist
the  DepEd  in  identifying  the  crops  to  be  cultivated  in  schools  farms  and  .in  preparing
nutritious  food,  pursuant  to  standardized  menus  to  ensure  child  nutrition  provided  for
under Republic Act No.  11037 and in developing the modules on nutrition.
I)     The   CDA   shall   provide   guidance  and   assistance  to   LGUs   in   the   development  of
cooperatives within their jurisdiction;
in)  The  Presidential  Commission  for  the  Urban  Poor  shall  undertake  social   preparation
activities to encourage participation and empower poor and underprivileged communities
from   the   preparation    and   plarming   to    implementation   and   evaluation   of   urban
development projects; and,
n)    The Philippine Information Agency shall undertake a nationwi(le information campaign,
utilizing all fomis of media, to raise awareness and encourage participation of the public
in the implementation of this Act, in close coordination with other cultural agencies such
as  the National  Commission  for Culture  and  Arts  OVCAA)  and  the  Film  Development
Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
o)   The   Council   for  the   Welfare   of  Children   shall   integrate  urban   agriculture   in   the
formulation of programs  and  measures providing  dynamic  leadership  in ensuring child-
friendly and child sensitive society.
p)   The  National  Youth  Commission,  as  the  Philippine  govemment's  sole  policy-making
body  on  youth  affairs  and  consistent  with  its  role  in  coordinating  and  implementing
programs designed to help the youth become more aware of the issues surounding them,
shall include an appreciation of urban agriculture.
SEC.   12.  Per/oJ.ma#ce  jiepor/  /o  Co#greSJ.   -  The  DA   and   partner  agencies   in  the  National
Convergence Program on Urban Agriculture and Aquaculture shall submit annual performance reports
44       tocongress.
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SEC.  13. ,4ppraprjcz/i.o#s.  - The funds necessary to cany out the initial  implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the respective budget of concerned agencies for the current year. Thereafter,
such  suins as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
49       annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC.  14. Imp/emen#ng jtw/es cI„d RegwJa/;.o#S.  -Within ninety days (90) from the effectivity of this
Act. the  agencies  under the National  Convergence  Program  on Uroan Agriculture and  Aquaculture
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I        shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
2        Act.
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SEC.  15.  Sepcrrabl./jty C/owse.  - If any  provision  of this Act  is held unconstitutional  or  invalid,  all
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.
SEC.  16.  Jiepecr/i.#g  C/crwse.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  rules  and  regulations  or  parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended oi. modifled accordingly.
SHC.17. EJTi+ec/i.vj.fy. -This Act shall take effect flfteen (15) days after its publication in the O#c[.c!/
Gcrze//e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
13                       Approved,
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