Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
       EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State recognizes the need of every Filipino for health and nutrition, 
especially the children. In 2020, the United Nations has reported that the Philippines 
has the highest number of food insecure people; with 59 million people not having 
consistent access to food. In its effort to improve food security in the Philippines, it 
has aligned itself with global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals, and 
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in order to have a guiding framework 
towards the achievement of food security.  
The alignment with these goals also meant the creation of programs specific for 
the needs of the Filipino people. The need to have access to nutritious food has led to 
various programs by the government such as the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, 
modernization of agricultural technology, and even urban farming.  
This measure proposes to promote Urban Agricultural Development. These 
efforts will not only address the immediate problem of food security, but it also aims 
to progressively research for technologies and practices that would help attain the 
goal of food security.  
This bill was filed in the 18th Congress by Representatives Horacio Suansing 
and Estrellita Suansing. It was approved by the House of Representatives and was 
transmitted to the Senate. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is hereby sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 
ALL METROPOLITAN AREAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD 
SECURITY CONCERNS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “Integrated Urban 
Agriculture Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure that the fundamental 
right of every person to adequate food and to be free from hunger is guaranteed and 
protected. As such, the achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainability in food 
production is adopted as a primary State policy. Towards this end, the State shall 
develop climate resilient communities in the metropolitan areas through the 
promotion of modern, appropriate, cost-effective, and environmentally safe 
agriculture technologies to ensure food security, promote a healthy citizenry and an 
improved quality of life for urban dwellers. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act: 
a. Food security refers to a situation wherein food is available and affordable at all
times, and where all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to
maintain a healthy and active life;
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b. Integrated urban agriculture refers to the development paradigm that 
encompasses principles, management technologies, and the policies relating to the 
practice and application of agricultural production of food and goods in urban areas: 
and 
c. Vertical farming refers to the method of farming that is brought to the urban space 
by employing concepts of indoor agriculture in skyscrapers and other modern 
buildings. 
SECTION 4. Scope. — This Act shall apply to all urban spaces such as idle, 
government or private lots or buildings, available land resources in state or private 
universities and colleges suitable for growing crops and raising poultry, livestock 
and aquaculture. 
SECTION 5. National Agriculture and Fisheries Council. — The National 
Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAF Council) is hereby mandated to monitor and 
ensure the proper implementation of this Act. The Council shall be composed of the 
following members: 
a. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (Chairperson); 
b. Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management; 
c. Secretary of the Department of Education; 
d. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
e. Secretary of the Department of Health; 
f. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government; 
g. Secretary of the Department of Finance; 
h. Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment; 
i. Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways; 
j. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; 
k. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
l. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; 
m. Secretary of the Department of Transportation; 


n. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education; 
o. Chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission; 
p. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority; 
q. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority; 
r. Chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor; 
s. Representative from the Academe; 
t. Representative from the private sector who has the expertise in urban 
agriculture and vertical farming; and 
u. Lead Convenor of the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Network of the 
Philippines. 
Cabinet secretaries who are members of the Council may designate their duly 
authorized and permanent representatives whose ranks shall in no case be lower than 
assistant secretary. 
SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the NAF Council. — The NAF Council shall 
have the following additional powers and functions: 
a. Develop a unified strategy to link agricultural production to nutrition programs; 
b. Conduct policy studies, program monitoring and comprehensive researches on 
food production, sustainable food systems and the country's urban agriculture 
agenda; 
c. Ensure that department resources are used to effectively encourage agricultural 
production in urban communities; 
d. Provide technical assistance in support of vertical farming, backyard food 
production and community gardening programs consistent with the goals of poverty 
reduction, food security and healthy eating habits in urban communities; and 
e. Submit periodic reports and policy recommendations to Congress for the proper 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Inclusion of Urban Agriculture in the Educational System. — Urban 
Agriculture shall be integrated 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/or 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. 
For universities and colleges, Urban Agriculture shall form part of the required 
period of time spent by students in the National Service Training Program or the 
Citizens Military Training. A plan for the utilization or maximization of Space 
occupied by schools shall be formulated specifically for urban agriculture purposes. 
SECTION 8. Responsibility of Local Government Units. — The local government 
units (LGUs), in coordination with the NAF Council shall formulate policies on the 
practice of Urban Agriculture and on utilizing urban spaces, unused spaces and idle 
lands, consistent with its existing policy on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 
(CLUP) and zoning ordinances. Provided, that spaces for urban agriculture shall not 
be prime lots or areas suitable for investments. The LGUs in cities and urban areas 
are required to enact local legislation institutionalizing urban agriculture as a regular 
component in the annual appropriations of the LGUs.  
All homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, community associations, 
people's organizations, and local business establishments shall be encouraged by the 
LGU to participate in Urban Agriculture activities. 
SECTION 9. Information and Education Campaign. — In order to raise public 
awareness, provide information and engage the public to participate in activities and 
projects on Urban Agriculture, the NAF Council shall engage the assistance of the 
Philippine Information Agency, through the Public Information Office in each city 
and municipality, to undertake a nationwide information campaign. 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. — The funds necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's budget of the 
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the NAF Council, in coordination with the concerned 
agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — Any provision or part hereof is held invalid, or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, or regulations contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or 
amended accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.