FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
8 Q;p 29 i: 2 ..:.: 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
I 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 14, Section I O  of the 1987 constitution provides that “Science and 
technology are essential for national development and progress.” As such the State 
shall give priority to research and development and their utilization for the improvement 
of the lives and welfare of the general public. 
One area where research and development can be applied is the use of state-of- 
the-art technologies to improve agricultural production and ensure food security. 
Aeroponics technology can be applied in the production of agricultural crops and 
vegetables. 
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without 
the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Aeroponic culture differs from both hydroponics 
and in-vitro (plant tissue culture) growing. Unlike hydroponics, which uses water as a 
growing medium and essential minerals to sustain plant growth, aeroponics is 
conducted without a growing medium. 
All over the world, aeroponic growing is considered to be safe and ecologically 
friendly for producing natural, healthy plants and crops. The main ecological advantages 
of aeroponics are the conservation of water and energy. When compared to 
hydroponics, aeroponics offers lower water and energy inputs per square meter of 
growing area. 
Plants and agricultural crops grown using aeroponics spend 99.98% of their time 
in air and 0.02% in direct contact with hydro-atomized nutrient solution. The time spent 
without water allows the roots to capture oxygen more efficiently. Furthermore, the 
hydro-atomized mist also significantly contributes to the effective oxygenation of the 
roots. Aeroponics allows more control of the environment around the root zone, unlike 
other plant growth systems, the plant roots are not constantly surrounded by some 
medium (as, for example, with hydroponics, where the roots are constantly immersed in 
water). 
Aeroponic systems are more cost effective than other systems. Because of the 
reduced volume of solution input, less water and less nutrients are needed in the 
system at any given time compared to other nutrient delivery systems. The need for 
substrates is also eliminated, as is the need for many moving parts, resulting in lowered 
manufacturing cost and reduced maintenance costs. 
With aeroponics, the deleterious effects of seed stocks that are infected with 
pathogens can be minimized due to the separation of the plants and the lack of shared 
growth matrix. In addition, due to the enclosed, controlled environment, aeroponics can 


be an ideal growth system in which to grow seed stocks that are pathogen-free. The 
enclosing of the growth chamber, in addition to the isolation of the plants from each 
other helps to both prevent initial contamination from pathogens introduced from the 
external environment and minimize the spread from one plant to others of any 
pathogens that may exist. 
This proposed measure seeks to promote the use of aeroponics technology in 
agricultural production of high value-added crops and vegetable to further increase 
volume of agricultural production and ensure food security. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
a 
S;P 
ZI 
:-‘3 
Second Regular Session 
) 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS TECHNOLOGY TO BE APPLIED 
IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION OF HlGH VALUE-ADDED CROPS AND 
VEGETABLE FARMING TO AQQRESS FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS OF 
THE COUNTRY AND JUDICIOUSLY UTILIZE SCARCE FERTILE LAND 
RESOURCES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ”Aeroponics 
Technology in Agricultural Production Act of 2008”. 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to adequate food and to be free 
from hunger. The achievement of self-sufficiency in food production is therefore adopted 
as a primary State policy. Towards this end, key reforms for the advancement of, and 
support to agricultural advancement in technology adaptation is hereby promoted in 
order to ensure the food security of our country. 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the adoption of state-of-the art 
technologies and promote the development of modern, appropriate and cost-effective 
and environmentally safe agricultural technology in order to ensure and provide food 
security for the country. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term 
‘Xeroponics” shall refer to the process of growing vegetation in an air or mist 
environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Aeroponic growing is 
considered to be safe and ecologically friendly for producing natural, healthy plants and 
crops. 


SEC. 4. 
Use of Aeroponics Technology. - The Department of Agriculture 
(DA) is hereby mandated to promote the use of aeroponics agriculture as an instrument 
to further improve the production of high-value added crops and vegetables in the 
country and address the food security concerns in the country. 
Idle government lands owned by either national or local governments or available 
land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops 
and vegetables using aeroponics agriculture. 
SEC. 5. 
Comprehensive Research on Aemponi6s Technology Applied 
in Agricultural Production. - For purposes of this Act, the Secretary of the Department 
of Agriculture (DA) is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive research and 
information drive on aeroponics technqlogy applied in agricultural production in order to 
further improve food production. 
It shall support research activities to expand the knowledge and understanding of 
aeroponics technology to be used in agriculture production, including a renewed 
investment into advance technology research in order to adopt state-of-the-art 
technologies to promote agricultural production in our high value-added crops and 
vegetables. 
SEC. 6. 
Inclusion of Aeroponics Technology in Agricultural Training. - 
Aetoponics technology as used in agricultural production shall be integrated in the 
academic curriculum for secondary and tertiary level students of both public and private 
academic institutions studying courses on Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics 
and/or other subjects related to agriculture. 
The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
implementation of this Section 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 Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED). 
SEC. 8. 
Implementing Rules and Reguhfions (IRR). - Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DA, in consultation with the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 9. 
SeparabMty 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. I O  
Repealling Clause - Any law, presidential decree OF issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 11. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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