Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

119

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This House Bill will be pushing for the rationalization of urban agriculture
and institutionalize farming in the highly-urbanized regions nationwide. Urban
agriculture is the production, processing and marketing of food in response to
the demand of consumers within a metropolitan area, with the application of
comprehensive production methods. This bill shall be known as “The Urban
Farming Act of 2019”.

These urban poor are mostly restricted in terms of education and job
opportunities. This Urban Farming Act of 2019 will help them gain the benefits
as it will continue to promote better livelihood by providing non-market access
to food.

The world population will drastically increase in the next 35 years.
Comprehensive Researches have shown that new lands will be sought to grow
enough food for everyone. Urban agriculture and farming will not only clean our
environment but it will also help minimize the effect of climate change. This
proposed House measure also seeks to combat the effects of over population and
climate change.

Thus, the early pass§g€ of this bill is earnestly requested.

:L L. ROMERO Ph.D. *


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2118

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE USE OF URBAN FARMING IN THE
METROPOLITAN REGIONS TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY
CONCERNS, ESTABLISHING ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Urban
Farming Act of 2019”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of
the republic to establish the fundamental rights of every person to sufficient
food. The achievement of self-sufficiency in food production is therefore adopted
as a primary state policy.

Moving forward, key reforms for the development of a comprehensive, cost-
effective and environmentally safe agricultural methods are hereby encouraged
in order to ensure the food security of the country.

SECTION 3. Rules and Regulations. - For purposes of this Act, the
designated Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are hereby mandated to promote


the use of urban farming in the country’s metropolitan regions as an instrument
to address food security concerns and establish ecological community functions
of the Philippines.

Inactive, unused and abandoned government lots and buildings owned
by either national and local governments, and other available land resources in
state colleges and universities shall be considered for growing crops, raising
livestock and producing food using the said comprehensive methods.

SECTION 4. Inclusion in Agricultural Training.- Urban farming that
are used in agricultural production shall be integrated in the academic
curriculum for tertiary level students of both public and private academic

institutions.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed

or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If, for any reason or reasons, any
portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the
remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,