, ' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. _2_7_7_6 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'15 
MAY 20 P5:07 
iU,;CEIVEO BY: j~-
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL GARDENS IN 
ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, 
MAKING IT A REQUIREMENT FOR THE CREATION AND ISSUANCE OF 
PERMITS FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 15, Article" of the 1987 Constitution states that: 
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them." 
In a 2014 report by the World Health Organization\ it was shown that as if 
2012, an estimated forty-four (44) million of children under five (5) years of age 
were overweight or obese worldwide. From 5% in 1990, the global prevalence of 
overweight and obese children has grown to 7% in 2012. 
In the Philippines, this prevalence has increased from 1.9% (140,000 
people) in 1990 to 3% (270,000 people) in 2013 for children between the age 1 to 
4. For children between the age 5 to 9, this has increased from 2.9% (240,000) to 
5.1 % (570,000). For adolescents between the age 10 to 14, this has increased 
from 3.6% (270,000) to 7.1 % (780,000). Finally, for teenagers between 15 to 19, 
this increased from 3.4% (220,000) to 6.4% (640,000).2 
On the flipside, the Philippines has a prevalence rate of 19.8% of 
underweight and 30.3% of stunted children under the age of five (5) years. 
In both instances, this prevalence, whether underweight or stunted or 
overweight or obese, may lead to irreversible health impacts if not addressed. 
Undernourishment leads to vulnerability to certain diseases while obesity 
increases the risks of developing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, 
among others. 
The number of instant food mixes and other processed food which 
specifically cater to the palate and food sensitivities of the young reflects the lack 
of regard for proper diet and nutrition for children, this only shows that child 
nutrition is marginalized and is least understood by a majority of our population. 
The lack of government policies specifically providing for access to information 
on nutrition and making nutrient rich food items available for all compromises the 
sustenance which a growing child is suppose to obtain in order to promote 
healthy growth and development. 
1 http://www. who. intlgho/publications/world_health _ statistics/2014/enl 
2 http://vizhub.healthdata.org/obesity/ 


It is therefore incumbent upon the State to provide programs for 
encouraging awareness in proper nutrition and at the same time address 
malnutrition. This is best done during childhood and taught in schools. 
The establishment of vegetable gardens in schools can be an effective 
tool for hunger mitigation. Since 2007, a program called Gulayan sa Paaralan3 
began to encourage public schools to establish vegetable gardens, primarily to 
serve as a source to supplement feeding programs within the area to help 
alleviate malnutrition and hunger. 
Thus this bill seeks to replicate such program through the establishment of 
instructional gardens in elementary and secondary schools, whether private or 
public, not only a means to alleviate hunger but to serve as a tool to teach the 
fundamental concepts about nutrition and the cultural and historical aspects of 
our food supply. A community effort is perceived in this bill and by involving the 
parents and the other members of the community, school gardens can create 
opportunities for all to learn and make healthier food choices and in the long run, 
eradicate malnutrition and obesity. By focusing on the health of our young 
citizens we can beUer ensure the success of our future generation. 
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is sought. 
¥'/A 
CYNTHIAA.~ 
3 http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/57789-fighting-malnutrition-vegetable-gardens 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2776 
'15 
l'IAY 20 P 5 :07 
RH EJ\'CD nY, IVsi 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL GARDENS IN ALL 
3 
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, MAKING IT A 
4 
REQUIREMENT FOR THE CREATION AND ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR 
5 
SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
6 
Be it enacted by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives 
7 
in Congress assembled: 
8 
CHAPTER I 
9 
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS 
10 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Instructional Gardens Act of 2015". 
11 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -
It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
12 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this 
13 
end the State shall adopt and put in place hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation 
14 
schemes to promote the nutrition, food security, and economic stability of its citizens. 
15 
To ensure the fulfillment of this goal, all educational institutions shall be required to 
16 
include nutrition and health consciousness in their curriculum. They are mandated to 
17 
devote a reasonable portion of their school lots to serve as instructional gardens for the 
18 
growing of vegetables and other plants having nutritional value. 
19 
CHAPTER II 
20 
INSTRUCTIONAL GARDENS 
21 
SEC. 3. Instructional Garden; Definition. - A plot of school land or an area within a 
22 
school devoted to the growing of vegetables and other nutritional plants that promotes 
23 
interactive, hands-on learning in which pupils learn composting and waste management 
24 
techniques, fundamental concepts about nutrition and obesity prevention, and the 
25 
cultural and historical aspects of agriculture and food and its role in the national 
26 
economy. 
27 
SEC. 4. Instructional Gardens Program. - The Instructional Gardens Program shall 
28 
be implemented in all elementary and secondary schools, public or private. They shall 
29 
devote a portion of their school lots for the cultivation of vegetables and other nutrient 
30 
rich plants as identified by the Department of Health. 
31 
Schools lacking in land or those located in urban areas shall avail of hydrophonic 
32 
gardening methods and other organic gardening technologies with the assistance of the 
33 
Department of Science and Technology and other government agencies. 
34 
SEC. 5. Nutrition and Health Consciousness. -
It shall be mandatory for all 
35 
elementary and secondary schools to include nutrition and health consciousness in its 
1 


1 
curriculum as well as the cultural and historical aspects of agriculture and food 
2 
production. This program shall be used to equally enhance any subject area including 
3 
science, environmental education, mathematics, reading, writing, art, nutrition, physical 
4 
education, history, and geography. 
5 
The schools shall develop a system of involving the parents of their students and the 
6 
community at large in its instructional garden program to promote awareness on health 
7 
and nutrition as well as the economic benefits of establishing a school, household and 
8 
community garden. 
9 
SEC. 6. Identification of Plot of Land. - No school, elementary or secondary, shall be 
10 
established without first securing an endorsement from the Division Superintendent 
11 
attesting that a plot of land has been designated to form part of an instructional garden 
12 
or an area has been identified where a garden using hydrophonic gardening methods 
13 
and other organic gardening technologies shall be located. The provisions of this 
14 
section shall apply to schools seeking the issuance of permits for their academic 
15 
programs. 
16 
SEC. 7. Tax Incentives. -
All allocations of grants, endowments, donations, or 
17 
contributions and technical assistance provided by the private individuals or 
18 
corporations to schools and other educational institutions for this purpose as certified by 
19 
the Department of Education, shall be exempt from taxes and duties. 
20 
CHAPTER III 
21 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
22 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education after 
23 
consultation with other government agencies, schools and education and health 
24 
advocacy groups shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
25 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, 
26 
and administrative regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
27 
amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
28 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
29 
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the other provisions. 
30 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
31 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
32 
circulation. 
33 
Approved, 
2