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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1369

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE “GULAYAN SA BARANGAY AT
PAARALAN PROGRAM” IN ORDER TO ATTAIN FOOD SECURITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the goals of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is to achieve a food-secure
Philippines in order to curb hunger and malnutrition among the Filipinos. In order to help
achieve that goal, the govemment should strengthen our agriculture industry by
institutionalizing community and school-based farming in every barangay in the Philippines.
This will help our countrymen to have accessible agricultural products and nutritional food

without the cost of transportation and other expenses.

According to the survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute
(FNRI), 62.1% of Filipino households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2020
amid the ongoing pandemic. Food insecurity is defined by the lack of access to nutritional food
for the attainment of a healthy life. It also indicated that the main reason for experiencing food
insecurity was the lack of money to buy food.' Through this proposed measure, the issue of

food insecurity in our communities will be addressed and will lessen malnutrition among the

* https://epbrd.congress. gov. ph/images/PDF%20Attachments/Facts%420in%20Figures/FF2021-
35_Food_Insecurity.pdf



Likewise, this measure is in consonance with the Section 9, Article II of the 1987
Constitution which provides that the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that
will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising

standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON. JOSE “BONG” JTEVES, JR.
Representative, TGP Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1369

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE “GULAYAN SA BARANGAY AT
PAARALAN PROGRAM” IN ORDER TO ATTAIN FOOD SECURITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Gulayan sa Barangay at

Paaralan Act.”

SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy. - Consistent with the provisions of the 1987
Constitution on social justice and fundamental principles, it is hereby declared as policy of the
State to ensure local food production. The State shall encourage members of communities to

engage in barangay farming in order to help curb food hunger and malnutrition in the country

As such, community farming shall be given importance to immediately address the food
hunger and malnutrition and for the members of the community to have immediate access to

nutritious and cheaper agricultural produce

SECTION 3. Institutionalizing the Gulayan sa Barangay. ~ The Gulayan sa

Barangay is hereby institutionalized as a regular program of the national government in order


to address food hunger and malnutrition especially in the far flung areas. Every barangay in the
Philippines shall designate an area intended for community farming,

The barangay chairpersons and council members shall enjoin their community
members to engage in community farming and provide guidelines and assistance in planting,

growing, and harvesting agricultural products.

SECTION 4. Role of the Department of Interior and Local Government. - The
national agency tasked to oversee the local government unit mentioned in Section 3 of this Act

is hereby vested to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG shall coordinate with the local government units in the barangay level to
identify vacant and available lots within the barangay suitable for community farming.
Likewise, the DILG shall ensure that all barangays shall implement properly the provisions of
this Act.

SECTION 5. The Role of the Department of Agriculture. — The Department of
Agriculture (DA), through the regional offices, and in coordination with the DILG and local
government units, shall provide directly to the barangay, vegetable seedlings and other
nutritional crops seedlings. In addition, the DA shall also provide garden tools to the barangays
in order to effectively carry-out the program as institutionalized in this Act

SECTION 6, The Role of the Department of Education. - The Department of
Education, in coordination with the DA and the DILG, shall likewise utilize the suitable vacant

lots within government owned school premises as area for community farming

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DILG , DA, and DepEd
in consultation with the appropriate association of local government unit, such as the Liga ng
mga Barangay shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for an orderly
execution of this Act within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 8 Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations for the DA.


‘Thereafter, such amounts as necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in
the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which shall

remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees or
issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,