NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Fircf- Pp‘m ilar Cacc/nn
SENATE 
S- No, 395
l(P TIME:
BILLS ^ar INDEX
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" EJERCITO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETABLE CROP GARDENS FOR 
INDIGENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is an agricultural country blessed with vast fertile lands. We should 
take advantage of this assets and make them tools in providing food security for our less 
fortunate people.
This proposed measure does not only aim to provide food but also livelihood for 
those who are willing to till the soil. It also addresses the issue of nutrition for our people, 
most especially for indigents who seldom can afford healthy foods for their children. In 
totality, this Act would contribute in solving hunger, unemployment and malnutrition.
We shall give indigents the opportunity to work and cultivate land to grow crops 
and bring food to their homes. If this is done thru the guidance of our local government 
units, we would be one step closer in our dream of food security for our people.
Our people's economic situation almost always limits their capacity to grow and 
progress in life. Thru this Act, we provide them food that are nutritious so that we are 
not only filling up their stomachs but also strengthening their bodies and minds for work.


The food provided for them is the fruit of their own labor; they would cultivate the soil 
and work for their food.
Plants need sunlight to grow and so is our people. Our government shall serve as 
a guiding light for them to thrive and succeed in life. Hence, the passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR "3V" E3ERC1TO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Fircf- DPint ilptr Qpccinn
. 
. . w--,-----------------------------------------■
SENATE
S. No. 395
TIME
INDEX
BILLS
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" EJERCITO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETABLE CROP GARDENS FOR 
IN DIGENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the PhiUppines, in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Food Security
Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the duty of the State to provide for the basic 
needs of its citizens. The State shall form mechanisms to feed its people in an efficient 
and scientific manner with the aid of modern technology. Towards this end, the State 
shdii develop reforms for a cost-effective and envirorimentaily safe agricultural methods 
to ensure the food security of the country.
Sec. 3. Definitions. - As used in this Act,
(a) Municipal and City Vegetable Crop Garden refers to land or place for cultivation, 
growing, harvest, sorting and distribution of vegetable crops, maintained and 
operated by the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panglungsod,
(b) Vertical Gardening refers to the method of planting without being fixed to ground 
by employing the concepts of indoor agriculture which includes may be hanged or 
may be placed in pottery and can be moved from one place to another; and
(c) Hydroponic refers to manner of growing plants without the use of soil.


1 
Sec. 4. Location. - The Sanggunian concerned shall provide for a land suitable for
2 
growing vegetable crops which may be idle lands, public parks, public school grounds, or
3 
private lands with the consent of the owner thereof: Provided, That, in case no suitable
4 
land Is available within their jurisdiction, an infrastructure or building that can be used
5 
and devoted to vertical gardening or hydroponic shall be provided.
6 
Sec. 5. Crops. - The Department of Agriculture shall conduct studies on the type
7 
of vegetable crops that will be best suited to the identified location, with considerations
8 
to survivability, sustainability and yield.
9 
Sec. 6. Resources. - The seeds shall be provided by the Department of Agriculture
10 
and the tools shall be provided by the Sanggunian concerned.
11 
Sec. 7. Beneficiaries. - The Sanggunian 
based on data of the Philippine
12 
Statistics Authority, shall select the Municipality's or City's ten (10) poorest Barangays to
13 
become beneficiaries of the harvest of the Municipal or City Vegetable Crop Garden. From
14 
the said Barangays, the Sanggunian concerned may employ indigents to regular or
15 
seasonal work in the Municipal or City Vegetable Crop Garden.
16 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary for the implementation of
17 
this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriations of the agencies
18 
concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation
19 
of this Act shall be included In the annual General Appropriations Act.
20 
Sec. 9. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
21 
date of effecfivlty of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government and
22 
Department of Agriculture, in consultation with local government units and Department
23 
of Science and Technology, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively
24 
Implement the provisions of this Act.
25 
Sec. 10. Separabiiity Cause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
26 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
27 
remain in force and effect.
28 
Sec. 11. Repeaiing Cause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules
29 
and regulations contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
30 
repealed or modified accordingly.
2


Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,