EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 1264
Jennie
/ 
of tijr & rrri'tar^
20 
JAN 14 P5 55
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON REVILLAR^R.' OBV__
AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ALL 
METROPOLITAN AREAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY 
CONCERNS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
TTie First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 28-31, 
2019, found that 9.5% or an estimated 2.3 million families experienced involuntary 
hunger at least once in three months. Hence, to further advance agriculture and food 
security, this measure aims to promote the practice of urban farming.
Urban farming, as enshrined in this bill, is the practice of cultivating, processing 
and distributing food in or around a village, town or city which could also involve 
animal agriculture, aquaculture and agroforestry, among others. It is one way to 
promote food security as it will provide citizens easy access to several agricultural 
products right within their cities and/or communities. In addition, under this measure, 
urban agriculture and vertical farming shall be integrated in the academic curriculum 
for secondary and tertiary level students of both public and private academic 
institutions offering courses on Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and/or 
other subjects related to agriculture. All elementary and secondary schools—public or 
private—, and state colleges and universities shall likewise implement urban 
gardening/agriculture and include in its regular curriculum its practical application.
It is the hope of this measure that the Philippines benefit from this form of 
agriculture in the same way that other countries that implement urban farming have.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill into law is earnestly sought.
RAMOy BONG REVILLA JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 1264
of Ifir Ik f crrt.irp
20 
JAN 14 P5 55
V
“  
RECh-'y-DB^: 
^
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, 3R.
AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ALL 
METROPOLITAN AREAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY 
CONCERNS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Integrated Urban
2 
Agriculture Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure that the fundamental
4 
right of every person to adequate food and to be free from hunger is guaranteed and
5 
protected. As such, the achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainability in food
6 
production is adopted as a primary State policy. Towards this end, the State shall
7 
develop climate resilient communities in the metropolitan areas through the promotion
8 
of modern, 
appropriate, 
cost-effective, 
and 
environmentally safe agriculture
9 
technologies to ensure food security, promote a healthy citizenry and an improved
10 
quality of life for urban dwellers.
11 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. — As used in this Act:
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a. Food security refers to a situation wherein food is available and
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affordable at all times, and where all people have access to sufficient,
14 
safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life;
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b. Integrated urban agriculture refers to the development paradigm that
16 
encompasses principles, management technologies, and the policies


1 
relating to the practice and application of agricultural production of food
2 
and goods in urban areas; and
3 
c. Vertical farming refers to the method of farming that is brought to the
4 
urban space by employing concepts of indoor agriculture in skyscrapers
5 
and other modern buildings.
6 
Sec. 4. Scope. — This Act shall apply to all urban spaces such as idle,
7 
government or private lots or buildings, available land resources in state or private
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universities and colleges suitable for growing crops and raising poultry, livestock and
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aquaculture.
10 
Sec. 5. National Agriculture and Fisheries Council. — The National Agriculture
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and Fisheries Council (NAF Council) is hereby mandated to monitor and ensure the
12 
proper implementation of this Act. The Council shall be composed of the following
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members:
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a. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (Chairperson);
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b. Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management;
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c. Secretary of the Department of Education;
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d. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
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e. 
Secretary of the Department of Health;
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f. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government;
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g. Secretary of the Department of Finance;
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h. Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment;
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i. Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;
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j. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology;
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k. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
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I. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;
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m. Secretary of the Department of Transportation;
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n. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education;
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0. Chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission;
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p. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority;
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q. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
31 
Authority;
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r. Chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor;


1 
s. Representative from the Academe;
2 
t. Representative from the private sector who has the expertise in urban
3 
agriculture and vertical farming; and
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u. Lead Convenor of the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Network of the
5 
Philippines.
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Cabinet secretaries who are members of the Council may designate their
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duly authorized and permanent representatives whose ranks shall in no case
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be lower than assistant secretary.
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Sec. 6. Powers and Functions o f the NAF Council. -  The NAF Council shall have
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the following additional powers and functions:
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a. Develop a unified strategy to link agricultural production to nutrition
12 
programs;
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b. Conduct policy studies, 
program monitoring and comprehensive
14 
researches on food production, sustainable food systems and the
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country's urban agriculture agenda;
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c. Ensure that department resources are used to effectively encourage
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agricultural production in urban communities;
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d. Provide technical assistance in support of vertical farming, backyard food
19 
production and community gardening programs consistent with the
20 
goals of poverty reduction, food security and healthy eating habits in
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urban communities; and
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e. Submit periodic reports and policy recommendations to Congress for the
23 
proper implementation of this Act.
24 
Sec. 7. Inclusion o f Urban Agricuiture in the Educationai System. -  Urban
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Agriculture shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for elementary, secondary
26 
and tertiary level students of both public and private academic institutions offering
27 
courses in Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and/or other subjects related
28 
to agriculture. A course curriculum on gardening shall be developed and included in
29 
the regular curriculum of elementary and secondary education. Instructional materials
30 
shall likewise be developed.
31 
For universities and colleges. Urban Agriculture shall form part of the required
32 
period of time spent by students in the National Service Training Program or the


1 
Citizens Military Training. A plan for the utilization or maximization of space occupied
2 
by schools shall be formulated specifically for urban agriculture purposes.
3 
Sec. 8. Responsibility o f Local Government Units. -  The local government units
4 
(LGUs), in coordination with the NAF Council shall formulate policies on the practice
5 
of Urban Agriculture and on utilizing urban spaces, unused spaces and idle lands,
6 
consistent with its existing policy on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and
7 
zoning ordinances. Provided, that spaces for urban agriculture shall not be prime lots
8 
or areas suitable for investments. The LGUs in cities and urban areas are required to
9 
enact local legislation institutionalizing urban agriculture as a regular component in
10 
the annual appropriations of the LGUs.
11 
All 
homeowners' 
associations, 
neighborhood 
associations, 
community
12 
associations, people's organizations, and local business establishments shall be
13 
encouraged by the LGU to participate in Urban Agriculture activities.
14 
Sec. 9. Information and Education Campaign. -  In order to raise public
15 
awareness, provide information and engage the public to participate in activities and
16 
projects on Urban Agriculture, the NAF Council shall engage the assistance of the
17 
Philippine Information Agency, through the Public Information Office in each city and
18 
municipality, to undertake a nationwide information campaign.
19 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. -  The funds necessary to carry out the initial
20 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's budget of the
21 
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
22 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
23 
Appropriations Act.
24 
Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the
25 
effectivity of this Act, the NAF Council, in coordination with the concerned agencies,
26 
shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the
27 
provisions of this Act.
28 
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. -  Any provision or part hereof is held invalid, or
29 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
30 
remain valid and subsisting.
31 
Sec. 13, Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
32 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, or regulations contrary to


1
2
3
4
5
6
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or 
amended accordingly.
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,