TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1177
U’Jfflff of lllf ' (.r'.up
25 AUG 13 PI :07
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS, HYDROPONICS AND AQUAPONICS 
FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE FISH, CROPS AND VEGETABLES,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution provides that the State shall provide support to agriculture 
through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, 
marketing, and other support services.
According to the World Bank, agriculture doesn't just feed people, it is also one 
of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty and boost economies. Growth in 
agriculture remains 2-3 times more effective at reducing poverty than an equivalent 
amount of growth generated in other sectors, and the effects are largest for the poorest 
in society. The food system produces millions of on-farm jobs and has the potential to 
generate millions more across the supply chain. Good nutrition makes people healthier 
and more productive, empowers entrepreneurs, and represents a critical long-term 
economic investment.
However, despite advances in modern agriculture, which include high-tech farm 
mechanization, modern irrigation system, and advanced controlled environment 
agriculture, food production remains at the mercy of nature and is subject to various 
destructive elements of the changing climate.
In addition, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with 
an average of 20 tropical cyclones or storms entering the Philippine Area of 
Responsibility (PAR) each year. In addition to these storms, the country regularly 
experiences climate phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina, which significantly affect 
local weather patterns and result in adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, flashfloods, 
and landslides.


One of the main causes cited for the extremely high prices of certain vegetables 
like onions are due to extreme weather events that occur in the country. For these 
reasons, there is now massive importation of crops and vegetables, and even fish, in 
the country to augment local supply and tame their increasing and erratic prices in the 
market. However, there have been news reports warning the public against the 
consumption of imported fish because it contains harmful substances and are unsafe - 
round scad (galunggong) tainted with formalin, mackerel, and cream dory and milk fish 
(bangus) that are double dead.
In view of the foregoing, and with the ever-increasing population and therefore 
huge demand in food supply, we must utilize advanced systems to grow more food 
while conserving the Earth's limited resources. The country must devote more research 
and development to the use of state-of-the-art technologies aimed at improving 
agricultural production and ensuring food security and safety. Fortunately, new trends 
and innovative methods in fish and vegetable farming have evolved and is being used 
now locally and abroad.
Specifically, the adoption of soilless agriculture technologies such as aeroponics, 
hydroponics, and aquaponics are widely perceived as innovative measures to increase 
agricultural productivity. Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist 
environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Hydroponics is the 
cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil. 
Lastly, Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponic plant production in a closed- 
loop water system that simultaneously grows both plants and fish.
This proposed measure seeks to promote the use of aeroponics, hydroponics, 
and aquaponics technology in agricultural production of high value fish, crops and 
vegetable to further increase volume of agricultural production and ensure food security 
and safety.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
IMCEk. MARCOS


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENi
S.B. No. 
(
0( t!ic
25 AUG 13 PI ;07 
A
RtCEIVED BY:.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS, HYDROPONICS AND AQUAPONICS 
FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE FISH, CROPS AND VEGETABLES,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Soilless Agricultural 
Production Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the 
State to reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to food security. The 
attainment of self-sufficiency in the field of food production is therefore adopted as a 
primary State policy. For this purpose, key reforms for the advancement of, and 
support to agricultural advancement in technology adaptation are hereby promoted in 
order to ensure the food security of the country.
Furthermore, the State commits itself to the adoption of state-of-the-art 
technologies and the active development of modern, appropriate and cost-effective, 
and environmentally safe agricultural technology in order to ensure and provide food 
security and safety.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
mean or be understood as follows:
"Aeroponicd' 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 and healthy plants 
and crop.
"Hydroponicd' shall refer to the method of growing plants in a water based, 
nutrient rich solution. The basic premise behind hydroponics is to allow the plant roots


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to come in direct contact with the nutrient solution, while also having access to oxygen, 
which is essential for proper growth.
"Aquaponic^' shall refer to the integration of aquaculture and hydroponic plant 
production in a closed-loop water system that simultaneously grows both plants and 
fish. In a symbiotic relationship, the waste that is produced by fish in water tanks, 
which could become toxic for the fish if not cleaned, is used directly or converted by 
bacteria into useful nutrients for plants.
Sec. 4. Use of Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics Technologies. - The 
Department of Agriculture (DA) is hereby mandated to promote the use of aeroponics, 
hydroponics, and aquaponics technologies as instruments to further improve the 
production of high value fish, crops and vegetables in the country and address food 
security concerns.
Idle government lands owned by either national or local governments or 
available land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for fish 
fanning and growing crops and vegetables using aeroponics, hydroponics, or 
aquaponics technology, whichever is applicable.
Sec. 5. Comprehensive Research on Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics 
Technologies Applied in Agricultural Production. - For purposes of this Act, the 
Secretary of the DA is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive research and 
information drive on aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics technologies applied in 
agricultural production.
The DA is further enjoined to support research activities aimed at expanding 
the knowledge and understanding of aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics 
technologies and to invest in advance technology research in order to adopt state-of- 
the-art technologies to promote agricultural production of high value fish, crops and 
vegetables.
Sec. 6. Inclusion of Aeroponics, Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technologies in 
Agricultural Training. - Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics technologies, 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, 
who are 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 ninety (90) days from the date of effectivity 
hereof.


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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days 
from the 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.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
DA, DepEd, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,