Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7768
HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Urban agriculture helps achieve food security at the household level. Food security is among the
most pressing issues that we face as we continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. This
is important because one way we could protect ourselves from the COVID-19 is being healthy
and having a strong immune system. Urban agriculture allows people to cultivate, process and
distribute food across their communities. This greatly aids in the provision of fresh and healthy
produce to villages and areas that are distant from markets.

This proposed measure seeks to raise public awareness, provide information, and engage the
Public to participate in Urban Agriculture projects and activities. This measure also aims to
integrate urban agriculture to the academic curriculum of students in the secondary and tertiary
level. The implementation of this measure shall be spearheaded by the National Agriculture and
Fisheries Council together with Local Government Units.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

0) S. TAMBUNTI
District, Parafiaque Ci



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _7768

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Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING
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AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ALL
METROPOLITAN AREAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

Se 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”.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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;

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

. 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.

Sec. 4, Scope. — This Act shalll 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.


Sec. 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:

Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (Chairperson);
Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management;
Secretary of the Department of Education;
Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
Secretary of the Department of Health;
Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government;
Secretary of the Department of Finance;
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment;
Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology;
Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;
|. Secretary of the Department of Transportation;
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education;
. Chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission;
Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority;
Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;
Chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor;
Representative from the Academe;
Representative from the private sector who has the expertise in urban agriculture and
vertical farming; and
1. Lead Convenor of the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Network of the Philippines.

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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.

Sec. 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;

¢. 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

€. Submit periodic reports and policy recommendations to Congress for the proper
implementation of this Act.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

‘Sec. 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.

Sec, 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.

Sec. 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,