Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 800

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

EXPLANATORY I

NOTE

‘The 1987 Constitution provides for the protection and promotion of the right ro
health of the people (Article II, Section 15), as well as the provisions that implicitly
gives the State the corresponding obligation to guarantce the fulfillment of the
people’s right to adequate food (Article XIII, Section 3 and 12).

‘The food security and food inflation are increasingly becoming a serious concern
and the Philippines provides no exemption. In 2022, it was reported that the national
average for food inflation rose from 65 percent in Angnst to 77 percent in
September’, as a result of insufficient productivity in the country’s agricultural sector
in view of outdated farming methods, lack of opportunities for farmers skill
development and other perennial issues.

Moreover, during dhe height uf die pandemic fuud insecurity becate raumpane in
urban areas due to mobility restrictions of agricultural products. It took weeks for
mechanisms to be in placed to ensure that food becomes available and accessible for
the general public.

According to the Philippine Institute of Development study (PIDS), “with
traditional agricultural methods falling short, investing in new technologies is key to
transforming the country’s livestock, poultry, and dairy (LPD) industries.”® And by
developing urban agriculture as a strategy may improve the food availability, which
could potentially reduce hunger and support mechanism for food security. This
mechanism may also reinforce every household a source of quality food and income.

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Furthermore, considering that the Philippines ranked 67" out of 113 countries in
the 2022 edition of Global Food Security Index (GFSI), (a program that analyzes
the ievei of food security based on food affordability, avaiiability, quality and safety,
and sustainability and adaptation) it is very crucial to institutionalize a platform to
improve local food system mechanism, reduce the rate of hunger incidence and
ultimately eradicating the food insecurity.

This proposed measure shall require the local government units to promote urban
agriculture by developing idle government and private lands for full or partial
conversion solely to community gardens, food forest gardens, indoor farms and/or
vertical farms. It shall also encourage the integration of urban agriculture principles,
policies, strategies, frameworks and standards in the design and development of
subdivisions and condominium projects to support food security and community
nutrition.

Moreover, the bill seeks to integrate urban agriculture into the academic curriculum
for primary and secondary education, while a curriculum shall be developed for

higher education ou capacity building proguauis ia support of wba ayticuliune.
This bill was approved in the House of Representatives during the 18 Congress and
duly transmitted to the Senate. It is being refiled for consideration in the 19"

congress.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly

sought

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.
2nd District, City of Cebu


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 800 __

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING INTEGRATED URBAN AGRICULTURE IN URBAN
AREAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Integrated Urban
Agneulture Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.- The State shall promote and protect the
fundamental right of every person to adequate food and freedom from hunger.
Recognizing the challenges to food security and ecological balance in urban areas,
the State shall optimize the use and productivity of urban land resources and spaces
to support sufficient and sustainable food production. Towards this end, the State
shall promote the development of modern, cost-effective, space efficient, and
cnvironmentally-safe agriculture technologies in urban areas to contribute in

ensuring public and mental health and thus improving the quality of life of ttban
populations, In doing so, the State shall prioritize the conservation of the country’s
genetic biodiversity, and endemic and heirloom flora and fauna as a strategy for
climate change adaption, mitigation and resiliency.

Accordingly, the State shall ensure the integration of principles, strategies and
technologies on urban agriculture in urban planning, and instill a love of farming
among urban dwellers most especially the youth.


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Section 3. Definition of Terms.- The following terms will be used in this

Act:

(@) Agro-ecology refers to a scientific discipline and set of practices that studies
how different components of the agro-ecosystem interact, and seeks
sustainable farming systems that optimize and stabilize yields. It applies
ecological concepts and principles to manage interactions among plants,
animals, humans and the environment for food security and nutrition;

(b) Community Gardens refer to any piece of land cultivated by group of people
using either individual or shared plots on public or private land with the
consent of the owner, to produce edibles, such as herbs, vegetables, fruits or
ornamentals, as a form of sustainable land use system for economic and
societal development. Community gardens may be found in neighborhoods
and schools, or connected to institutions such as hospitals or located on the
grounds or roofs of shared housing, such as tenements and apartment

complexes,

(© Food Forest Gardening refers to muti-layered crop farming or a low
maintenance and sustainable method of food production that is based on
woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines
and perennial vegetables which yields and is directly useful to humans. It also
refers to a system of agro-forestry that creates diverse, productive, healthy,
ecologically-sound and sustainable system of land use;

(d) Food security refers to a situation wherein all people have access to sufficient,
safe, nutritious food, at all times, to maintain a healthy and active life;

(©) Food system refers to a complex web of activities involving the production,
processing, transport, and consumption of food. Issues concerning the food

sustainability, the degree to which we waste food, how food production
affects the natural environment and the impact of food on individual and
population health;

(#) Good Agricultural Practices reter to the practices that address environmental,
economic, and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in
safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products;

(g) Idle lands refer to non-agricultural lands in urban and urbanizable areas on
which no improvements have been made by the owner, as certified by the
city, municipal or provincial assessor. Idle government lands refer to lands
owned by any government entity that have been idle and have not been used
for the purpose for which they have been reserved for the past (10) years;


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(h) Indoor farming refers to controlied environment agriculture which aims to
optimize plant growth to house vertical farming techniques in greenhouses,
warchouses, abaudoucd buildings, shipping containers, wuuuels, skyscrapers
and modern buildings using soilless farming techniques such as hydroponics,
aquaponics, and aeroponics;

@

Integrated urban agriculture refers to the development paradigm that
encompasses principles, management technologies, and the policies relating
to the practice and application of agricultural and fisheries production of food
and goods in urban areas;

@

Peri-urban areas refer to areas where urban and rural features and processes
meet, interact and intertwine, usually located between city and countryside.
Peri-urban arcas are semi-dense clusters with a density of atleast three
hundred (300) inhabitants per square kilometer and a population of five
thousand (5,000) or more, but arc neither contiguous with nor within two (2)

(k) Protected agriculture refers to the use of technologies that enclose crops to
harvest higher yields, safer, cleaner and of better quality even out of season
by modifying the natural environment and protect crop against the elements
which include high temperature, excessive rainfall, humidity, wind, birds,
insects;

@ Social preparation refers to the series of activities designed to prepare the

underprivileged and homeless families to cope with the changes brought

abou by goverment develupurene projects;

(m) Soilless agriculture refers to the method of growing plants that do not rely
on the soil as a source of nutrients and water; common methods are
hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics;

(a) Urban arcas refers to classification as may be made by the Philippines
Statistics Authority (PSA) which under PSA Resolution No. 01, Series of
2017-098, covers any of the following:

(1) Ifa barangay has a population size of five thousand (5,000) or more;

(2)If a barangay has at least one establishment with a minimum of one
hundred (100) employees;

(3) Ifa barangay has five (5) or more establishments with a minimum of zero

the two (Z)-bllometers

(©) employee, and five 6) ur move fas

radius from the barangay hall;


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(0) Urban planning refers to multi-disciplinary art and science of analyzing,
specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the use and
dovelopurcui uf hand and waier tesuuices, in telativn w theit cuvivuns, for ihe
development of sustainable communities and ecosystems in urban and
urbanizable areas;

(p) Urbanizable areas refer to sites and lands which, considering the present
characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential
of becoming urban areas within the period of five (5) years; and

(q) Vertical farming refers to the methods or practices of increasing the number
of plants grown in an area by growing crops in vertically stacked layers; such
5 gouerally dune iu yeeuhuuses, wachvuses, xlanivued buildings, slipphig
containers, tunnels, skyscrapers and modern buildings using soilless farming
techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics or acroponics.

Section 4. Coverage,- This Act shall cover idle or abandoned government
or private lands, buildings, shipping containers, subdivisions or villages, public
housing, open spaces in all urban, peri-urban and urbanizable areas in the country;
and all available land resources and buildings in schools, stare or private
universities and college, military camps suitable for growing crops and raising
poultry, livestock and aquaculture: Provided. That, the utilization of idle lands for
urban agriculture purposes shall not be used as grounds for the eviction, of
informal settler families occupying the lands; Provided further, That the raising of
poultry and livestock shail be limited to urbanizable areas and all livestock raising
shall be subject to health and safety standards and regulations issued by the

at of Meal (DOD, Deparuncat of Ei
Resources. (DENR), " Department of Human Settlements and Urban
Development (DHSUD) and other relevant government agencies.

Section 5. Urban Farming.- Local government units (LGUs) shall identify
and develop idle government and private lands and buildings, without prejudice
to the rights of owners of private lands, buildings and open spaces, within their
jurisdiction, for full or partial conversion solely to community gardens, food
forest gardens, indoor farms and/or vertical farms to support food security and
community nutrition: Provided, That food forest gardens and urban farms adopting
agro-ecological principles shall be the priority form of urban agriculture wherever
applicable and feasible; Provided further, That, spaces allocated for urban
agriculture and aquaculture shall not be prime lots. All LGUs, in coordination
with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Cooperative Development

organizations, and facilitate the organization and registration of community-based
cooperatives, to undertake community gardening and establish community
farmers’ markets.


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Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit or extinguish the rights of
owners to their private lands and spaces without their consent or without their
ieceipt uf just compensation, in case of expropriation,

‘The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
(DHSUD) shall ensure that the design and development of subdivision,
condominium and public housing projects have provisions for adequate spaces
for community gardens, food forest gardens, greenhouse agriculture, roof
gardens, indoor farms and vertical farms. Towards this end, the DHSUD , in
coordination with the DA, shall capacitate homeowners” associations to
undertake community gardening and vertical farming.

‘The DA shall provide the necessary technical assistance and support
services, including the provision of seeds and seedlings and gardening wols,
access to loans from government financial institutions, and training workshops
that shall capacitate various stakeholders. It may assist in the design,
a and ogulation of indoor and v
machineries and facilities to ensure the full productivity of community garderns,
school gardens, food forest gardens, greenhouse farms, roof gardens, and indoor
and vertical farms.

cal fanning

‘The DA shall ensure that the technical assistance it provides is consistent
with Philippine Good Agricultural Practices PHILGAP) or a set of standards and
regulations. ensuring food quality and safety, facilitation of market access,
establishment of community farmers’ markets and reduction in non-compliance
with issuances regarding permitted pesticides and other contamination hazards,
as provided under Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the “Food Safety
Act of 2013”, and relevant laws.

The DA, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the
Deparuncni of Energy (OB), aud die Deparuncie of Public Works aud
Highways (DPWH) shall also undertake the establishment of rainwater harvesting
facilities in compliance with Republic Act No. 6716, entitled “An Act Providing
for the Construction of Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors, Development of
Spring and Rehabilitation of Existing Water Wells in All Barangays in the
Philippines”, renewable energy systems and solid waste management systems,
including waste-to-energy facilities, to provide sustainable supply of water, energy
and compost to community gardens, food forest gardens and urban farms.

Section 6. Urban Agriculture and Aquaculture in Urban Planning.-
The DHSUD, in coordination with the DA, shall ensure the integration of
concepts and principles of urban agriculture and its relationship to other


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processes in the food system in urban planning, Accordingiy, the DHSUD and
DA shall promote sustainable, smart and organic food production systems that
Inaness the benefits of mew iccluutugics aud weiiuds ins suit, nuitieui, waict aud
energy management, such as composting, rainwater harvesting and utilization of
renewable energy. The DHSUD shall also ensure the rational use of land
resources in urban planning to promote sustainable peri-urban interface, as well
as for the spatial requirements of supply chain management and logistics to
strengthen urban-rural foodshed linkages.

‘Towards these ends, the DHSUD shall promulgate guidelines for the
harmonization of the comprehensive land use plans and zoning ordinances of
LGUs with urban agriculture policies, frameworks, strategies and standards.

All LGUs are hereby mandated to incorporate urban agricultural
development in their respective Annual Development Plans, Annual Investment
Plans, Physical Framework Plans, and Development Master Plans including the

biting of agiicultuiists and agiicuktural and biosysiciis enginceis to catcy out

urban agriculture program.

Likewise, LGUs with the assistance of the DA, Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and
Couumunicaiious Tecluulugy (DICT), stall establish aud suaiuein a digital
information system to facilitate the efficient collection, management and analysis
of urban food systems, agriculture and nutrition data, as well as the monitoring
and evaluation of LGU performance vis-a-vis the food system agriculture and
nutrition targets, to inform local planning, policy-making and programming
bodies, and to ensure open public access to data.

Section 7. Urban Agriculture/Aquaculture Education- The
Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), with the technical assistance of the DA, shall integrate urban agriculture
in the academic curriculum for elementary, secondary and tertiary level students
of both public and private academic institutions offering courses in Agriculture,
Practical Arts, Home Economics and other subjects related to agriculture. A
course curriculum on gardening shall be developed and included in the regular

likewise be re developed utilizing advanced techniques of crop and food animal
production, urban agriculture and farming, and cultivating awareness and
appreciation of genetic biodiversity, heirloom and endemic flora and fauna, and

agro-ccological principles.

ry and sceondary cduc.

The DepEd, with the assistance of the DA, shall strengthen the
implementation of its Gulayan sa Paaralan Program in elementary and secondary
schools. The establishment of school gardens shall be encouraged to ensure


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continuous supply of vegetables for school feeding, in accordance with Republic
Act No. 11037, otherwise known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang

Pilipino Act”

For universities and colleges, urban agriculture shall form part of the
required period of time spent by students in the National Service Training
Program. A plan for the utilization or maximization of space occupied by schools,
shall be formulated specifically for urban agriculture purposes.

Section 8. Urban Agriculture Awareness Campaign.- The DILG,
National Nutrition Council, and LGUs are mandated to formulate policies on
urban farming in consonance with the provisions of this Act and be at the
forefront of community-based education and awareness campaigns. For this
purpose, LGUs shall mobilize existing structures and local bodies such as the
provincial, city and municipal agricultural offices, the provincial, city, municipal
and barangay agriculture and fishery councils, the provincial, city, municipal, and

a GK) and dhe youth sector

barangay fedciation of Sangguniang Kabat

represented in any local special body under LGUs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall
integrate urban agriculture and community nutrition in the seminar-workshops
aud iaining progtaus iv cducuic quidificd louschuld-Leucficities of dhe

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Section 9, Research and Development. - The DA and the DOST, as well
as relevant state universities, government research and development institutions,
aud ihe privaic scion, stn
support urban agriculture, including the development and operation of
sustainable demonstration urban community gardens, food forest gardens,
greenhouse, indoor, roof and vertical farms.

picusify research ou ieiiuds aud iclimulogics iv

Section 10. Incentives.- Compliance by subdivision and condominium
developers and owners with Section 5 of this Act may qualify them for incentives
provided for under Republic Act No. 10771, otherwise known as the “Philippine
Green Jobs Act of 2016”, subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the
Department of Finance and the DHSUD.

‘The commitment and performance of LGUs in the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the criteria for the awarding of the Seal of Good Local
Governance and the provision of incentives, provided for undet Republic Act
No. 11292, otherwise kauwa a8 “ The Scal of Goud Local Gove

2019”



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Loans extended by government and private banks to participating
individuals, corporations and partnerships shall be treated as compliance with
Republic Au No. 10000, uilierwise known as “The Agri-Agra efor Credic Ati

of 2009”

Section 11, Inter-Agency Coordination. — There is hereby established a
National Convergence Program on Urban Agriculture and Aquaculture. The DA
is hereby desiguaied us ihe Lead Luplcimeuiing Ageucy aud ihe Scuciatiai uf the
Convergence Program. The following agencies shall perform duties and
responsibilities in order to develop and sustain concerted action to promote urban

agriculture:

(a) The DA shall provide technical assistance and support services to LGUs,
community-based cooperatives, homeowners’ associations, neighborhood
associations and people’s organizations to ensure the viability and cosr-
effectiveness of urban agriculture projects and through its Bureau of
Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, shall provide the design, specifications,
establishment strategies, promotion, regulations and technical assistance in the
fabrication of production models of indoor farming, vertical farming and other
urban agriculture machineries, equipment and facilities;

(b) The DIISUD shall cncuurage the integtativa of urban agti
policies, strategies, frameworks and standards in the design and development
of subdivisions and condominium projects. The DHSUD shall ensure such
integration in public housing projects and in the preparation ot updating of
development and investment plans, CLUPs, and zoning ordinances of LGUs.
The DHSUD shall promulgate the necessary rules and monitor compliance
therewith. The DHSUD shall provide assistance to homeowners associations
to strengthen their capacity to undertake urban agriculture or aquaculrare
projects in their neighborhoods and communities;

eure piinciples,

(©) The DILG shall monitor the compliance of LGUs with the provisions of this
Act in order to determine their qualification for the incentives provided under
Republic Act No. 11292;

using advanced crop production techniques like soilless agriculture, indoor
farming or vertical farming to include modern methods of irrigation and
automated systems into the primary and secondary education curricula,
including the establishment of school gardens under the Gulayan sa Paaralan
Program, ‘Vhe Depkid shall ensure the adequate capacity building programs
such as training-workshop, hands-on training or immersion program of
teachers and the development of appropriate instructional materials such as
educational video and manual for this purpose;


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(6) The DOST shail conduct research on modern, cost-effective methods and
technologies to support urban agricultural production, as well as post-harvest
hrandting uf suiplus produce frum urban agticuliute projecis;

(Q The DTI shall provide technical assistance in processing and packaging of
surplus produce from urban agriculture and aquaculture projects and ensure
access of local government units, cooperatives, homeowners associations, and
people’s organizations to markets;

@ The DOF shall administer the grant of incentives under Section 10 of this Act
to qualified persons based on their compliance with Section 5 of this Act;

(h) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall ensure adequate
fanding for the functions and programs provided for by under this Act;

(@ The CHED shall develop and implement curriculum on capacity building
programs such as training-workshop, hands-on training or immersion
prugtau aud telaicd standards aud insiuciiviial utictials in support of wba

agriculture;

@) The DPWH in compliance with RA 6716 is mandated to undertake
construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and
relabiliiaiiuu uf caisiing waicr wells in all barangays iat dhe Philippines, iahiay
into consideration the population, hydrologic conditions, costs of project
development and operations, financial and economic factors and institutional
arrangements;

(k) The National Nutrition Council and the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute shall assist the DepEd in identifying the crops to be cultivated in
school farms and in preparing nutritious food, pursuant to standardized menus
to ensure child nutrition provided for under Republic Act No. 11037, and in
developing the modules on nutrition:

() The CDA shall provide guidance and assistance to LGUs in the development
of cooperatives within their jurisdiction;

Urban Pour shall

(a) Thi
preparation activities to encourage participation and empower poor and
underprivileged communities from the preparation and planning to

implementation and evaluation of urban development projects;

(n) The Philippine Information Agency shall undertake a nationwide information
campaign, utilizing all forms of media, to raise awareness and encourage
participation of the public in the implementation of this Act, in close


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coordination with other cultural agencies such as the National Commission
for Culture and Arts (NCAA) and the Film Development Council of the

Philippines (DCP),

(0) The Council for the Welfare of Children shall integrate urban agriculture in
the formulation of programs and measures providing dynamic leadership in
ensuring a child-friendly and child sensitive society; and

(p) The National Youth Commission, as the Philippine government's sole policy-
making body on youth affairs and consistent with its role in coordinating and
implementing programs designed to help the youth become more aware of the
issues surrounding them, shall include an appreciation of urban agriculture.

Section 11, Performance Report to Congress.- The DA and partner
agencies in the National Convergence Program on Urban Agriculture and
Aquaculture shall submit annual performance reports to Congress

Section 12. Appropriations.- The funds necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the respective budget of
concerned agencies for the current year. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within nincty days
(90) from the effectivity of this Act, the agencies under the National Convergence
Program on Urban Agriculture and Aquaculture shall promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 14. Sepatability Clause.- If any patt or provision of this Actis held

unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which arc not

affected shall conti

Section 15. Repealing Clause.- All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 16. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days aftcr its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,