EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
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Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
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 II 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."
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2016, an estimated 
forty one (41) million children 
under the age of 5 were overweight or obese 
worldwide, while over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were 
overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and 
adolescents aged 5-19 has risen dramatically from just 4% in 1975 to around 18% 
in 2016.1
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%
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight


(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 prevalent consumption 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 supposed to obtain in order to promote 
healthy growth and development.
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 PaaralarP 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. Moreover, the practice of establishing "Gulayan sa Paaralan" in schools 
conveniently serves as effective teaching tool for children to learn the art and 
science of planting as well as the benefits gained from it.
! http://vizhub.healthdata.org/obesity/
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/57789-fighting-malnutrition-vegetable-gardens


The 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, the cultural and historical aspects of our food 
supply, as well as the rudiments of planting, considered to be a very useful skill for 
citizens of an agricultural country like the Philippines . 
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 cultivate the 
practice of planting vegetables, while reaping the benefits of eating healthy food.
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
1 47
t/) TIME: M
BILLS VINDEX
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
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
Be it enacted by the Senate o f the Philippines and the House o f 
Representatives in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Tide. -  This Act shall be known as the "Instructional Gardens Act
2 
of 2019".
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
5 
them. Towards this end the State shall adopt and put in place hunger mitigation and
6 
poverty alleviation schemes to promote the nutrition, food security, and economic
7 
stability of its citizens.
8 
To ensure the fulfillment of this goal, all educational institutions shall be
9 
required to include nutrition and health consciousness in their curriculum. They are
10 
mandated to devote a reasonable portion of their school lots to serve as instructional
11 
gardens for the growing of vegetables and other plants having nutritional value.


1 
SEC. 3. Instructional Garden Definition. -  A plot of school land or an area
2 
within a school devoted to the growing of vegetables and other nutritional plants
3 
that promotes interactive, hands-on learning in which pupils learn composting and
4 
waste management techniques, fundamental concepts about nutrition and obesity
5 
prevention, and the cultural and historical aspects of agriculture and food and its
6 
role in the national economy.
7 
SEC. 4. Instructional Gardens Program. -  The Instructional Gardens
8 
Program shall be implemented in all elementary and secondary schools, public or
9 
private. They shall devote a portion of their school lots for the cultivation 
of
10 
vegetables and other nutrient rich plants as identified by the Department of
11 
Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, Department of Education
12 
and other concerned agencies.
13 
Schools lacking in land or those located in urban areas shall avail of
14 
hydrophonic gardening methods and other organic gardening technologies with the
15 
assistance of the Department of Science and Technology and other government
16 
agencies.
17 
SEC. 5. Nutrition and Health Consciousness. -  It shall be mandatory for all
18 
elementary and secondary schools to include nutrition and health consciousness in
19 
its curriculum as well as the cultural and historical aspects of agriculture and food
20 
production. 
This program shall be used to equally enhance any subject area
21 
including science, environmental education, mathematics, reading, writing, art,
22 
nutrition, physical education, history, and geography.
23 
The schools shall develop a system of involving the parents of their students
24 
and the community at large in its instructional garden program to promote
25 
awareness on health and nutrition as well as the economic benefits of establishing a
26 
school, household and community garden.
27 
SEC. 6. Identification o f Plot o f Land. -  No school, elementary or secondary,
28 
shall be 
established without first securing an endorsement from the Division
29 
Superintendent attesting that a plot of land has been designated to form part of an


1 
instructional garden or an area has been identified where a garden using
2 
hydrophonic gardening methods and other organic gardening technologies shall be
3 
located. The provisions of this section shall apply to schools seeking the issuance of
4 
permits for their academic programs.
5 
SEC. 7. Tax Incentives. -  All allocations of grants, endowments, donations,
6 
or contributions and technical assistance provided by the private individuals or
7 
corporations to schools and other educational institutions for this purpose as
8 
certified by the Department of Education, shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
9 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Department of Education,
10 
after consultation with other relevant agencies, schools and education and health
11 
advocacy groups shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this
12 
Act within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act.
13 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. -  The amount needed for the initial implementation
14 
of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of the Department of
15 
Education (DepEd). Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued
16 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
17 
Sec. 10. Separability Cause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is
18 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions
19 
hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.
20 
Sec. 11. Repealing Cause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
21 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to
22 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
23 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. 
-  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
24 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
25 
circulation.
26
Approved,