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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
___________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the duty of the State to provide for the basic needs of its citizens. In line with this, the State 
shall form mechanisms to feed its people in an efficient and scientific manner with the aid of 
modern technology. The State shall likewise develop reforms for a cost-effective and 
environmentally safe agricultural methods to ensure the food security of the country. 
A stable food security means a productive citizenry. It is the intention of this bill to ensure that 
children will be provided with the needed nutrients as they attend everyday classes, the poorest 
of the poor will be able to search for economic opportunities without being on an empty 
stomach, and our people will have the physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, 
and nutritious food that meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda 
District Representative 
September 28, 2022
3:13 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETABLE CROP GARDENS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Food Security Act” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the duty of the State to provide for the basic needs of 
its citizens. The State shall form mechanisms to feed its people in an efficient and scientific 
manner with the aid of modern technology. Towards this end, the State shall develop reforms for 
a cost-effective and environmentally safe agricultural methods to ensure the food security of the 
country. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. – As used in this Act, 
(a) Municipal and City Vegetable Crop Garden refers to any land or place for cultivation,
growing, harvest, sorting and distribution of vegetable crops, maintained and operated by
the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panglungsod;
(b) Vertical Gardening refers to the method of planting without being fixed to ground by
employing the concepts of indoor agriculture which includes those that may be hanged or
may be placed in pottery and can be moved from one place to another; and,
(c) Hydroponic refers to the manner of growing plants without the use of soil.
Sec. 4. Location. – The Sanggunian concerned shall provide for a land suitable for
growing vegetable crops which may be idle lands, public parks, public school grounds, or private 
lands with the consent of the owner thereof: Provided, That, in case no suitable land is available 
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within their jurisdiction, an infrastructure or building that can be used and devoted to vertical 
gardening or hydroponic shall be provided. 
 
Sec. 5. Crops. – The Department of Agriculture shall conduct studies on the type of 
vegetable crops that will be best suited to the identified location, with considerations to 
survivability, sustainability and yield. 
 
Sec. 6. Resources. – The seeds shall be provided by the Department of Agriculture and 
the tools shall be provided by the Sanggunian concerned. 
 
Sec. 7. Beneficiaries. – The Sanggunian concerned, based on data of the Philippine 
Statistics Authority, shall select the Municipality’s or City’s ten (10) poorest Barangays to 
become beneficiaries of the harvest of the Municipal or City Vegetable Crop Garden. From the 
said Barangays, the Sanggunian concerned may employ indigents to regular or seasonal work in 
the Municipal or City Vegetable Crop Garden. 
 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. – The initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriations of the agencies concerned. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the date of 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of 
Agriculture, in consultation with local government units and Department of Science and 
Technology, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions 
of this Act. 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
force and effect. 
 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and 
regulations contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,