Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

Houseantno. 5071

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Over the past few decades, we have been immensely overwhelmed with statistics of malnutrition att over
‘the world so much so that 2 great majority of us has come to accept it as an urfortunate and irreversible
situation. However, things have already changed in recent years and technological advances we have been
continuously experiencing have created encouraging new opportunities to improve economies and reduce
hunger.

In line with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to reduce the proportion of people, most
Particularly children, who suffer from hunger by the year 2015, as well as provide food security for the
country, this law shall provide ample opportunities for schaoichildren to widen their knowledge and to be
equipped with the expertise on planting and harvesting of vegetables and other high value crops through
the bio-intensive method of gardening. Research shows that a good amount af increase in vegetable intake
among children has been attributed to gardening projects, cooking classes, and ather creative activities.

It therefore is a primary concern of the State to increase the efficiency of governance to promate optimum
autrition and improve the nutritional status of Filipino school-age children. Their proper nourishment
should be 3 primordial concem of the State so as to enhance academic performance. Owing also to the fact,
that arable land has reached its maximum, the State plays a crucial role in developing and improving,
agriculture practices through the practice of bio-intensive gardening, in sustainably managing the forest
and natural resources, and in guaranteeing good nutrition for our future generation.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

(TAMCO-

2nd District, North Cotabato


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HousesaLno. 0071

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING
A BIO-INTENSIVE VEGETABLE GARDEN 9M EVERY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY
ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. There shalt be established a Bio-intensive Vegetable Garden in every elementary
school and high school m the country.

SEC. 2. Deckaration of Policy. - tt is hereby declared the policy of the State to reaffwm the
fundamental right of every person to health and to instill health consciousness among them. The State
shall also protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and heatthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the State shall commit itself to eradicate
extreme hunger, provide food security for the country, and facititate key reforms for the advancement
of and support to vegetable production and education.

SEC, 3. Construction and Mojntenonce - The Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby
mandated to be the fead agency in the implementation of this Act, to formulate a guideline of
requirements and to structure a timetable to ensure that each and every elementary school and high
school will utitize and have a its own vegetable garden.

In fine with this, the DepEd shall dasely coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for
the construction, tunding requirements, and any other pertinent matter needed in the proper
implementation of this Act. Idle government lands owned by either the national or local government or
available land resources shail be considered for growing vegetables and crops.


SEC 4, inclusion of Blo-intensive Gardening Methods is Academic Curriculum. — Bio-intensive
gardening practices shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for primary and secondary level
students of both public and private academic institutions. The Department of Agricutture {DA} is
hereby mandated to closely coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to promote and
support research activities to expand the knowledge and understanding of such organic agricultural
system as an instrument to further improve the production of vegetable and other high value crops.

SEC.5 Crop Harvesting and Feeding Program — In line with existing food programs being
implemented by other government agencies, students utilizing such garden shall be provided a regular
allotment of nutritious diet from vegetables and other crops harvested.

SEC 6. implementing Rules ond Regulations (RJ. - The Department of Education (DepEd), in
consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within six (6)
months from the date of effectivity hereof.

SEC. 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the Department of Education
{DepEd}, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Health (DOH) during the year following
its enactment. Thereafter, such sums are as necessary for its continued implementation shail be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 8. Repeating Clause — All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Separabifity Clause - If 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. 10. Effectivity Clouse. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,