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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

- L
House BiLLNo, _ 3948

Introduced by Representative Lex Anthony Cris A. Colada

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Food security and sustainability is the ultimate goal of the agricultural sector of the country.
As such, the State must exhaust all possible means to achieve this goal, And while traditional
farming techniques have fed the populace until now, itis undeniable that it comes with its own
set of challenges, which include climate change, lack of irrigation, water scarcity. low crop
yields, and problems with pests, among others.

It is high time that the State must look at other farming methods to supplement our present
agricultural output and offer solutions which take advantage of newly invented modem
technologies which are high-yield, cost-effective and ecologically sound.

‘One such solution is aeroponics, which is an indoor farming practice in which plants are grown
and nourished by suspending their root structures in air and regularly spraying them with a
nutrient and water solution. Instead of relying on a mixture of soil and water to feed the plants,
‘aeroponic farmers spray the root systems with a nutrient mix. Soil is not used for aeroponics,
because the plants can thrive when their roots are constantly or periodically exposed to a
nutrient-rich mist. Plants are suspended in the air in and closed frames that leave the leafy
tips and the roots able to grow up-and-down respectively. Because the roots are in close, the
nutrient-water mix is used more efficiently by the plants and less water is needed for them to
grow and thrive.

Aeroponics offers an efficient means to grow plans, without potting and repotting them to
replenish their access to nutrient-rich soil. With their opponents, farmers may use vertical and
horizontal space to grow more plants using less floor space and conserve water by using
sealed aeroponics systems.

This bill seeks to mandate the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct a comprehensive
research and information drive on aeroponics technology applied in agricultural production.
The DA js further enjoined to support research Activities aimed at expanding the knowledge
and understanding of aeroponics technology and to invest in advance technology research in
order to adopt State-of-the-art technologies to promote agricultural production if Ode high
value-added crops and vegetables.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

LEX ANTHONY CRIS A. COLADA
AAMBIS-OWA Party-list

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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House aiino,_ 3048

Introduced by Representative Lex Anthony Cris A. Colada

AN ACT PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS TECHNOLOGY TO BE
APPLIED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE-ADDED CROPS
AND VEGETABLE FARMING TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY’S FOOD SECURITY

CONCERNS AND JUDICIOUSLY UTILIZE SCARCE FERTILE LAND
RESOURCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Short title. - this Act shall be known as the “Aeroponics Technology
in Agricultural Production Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is here by 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.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term aeroponics
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, healthy plants and crops,

SEC. 4, Use of Aeroponics Technology. - The Department of Agriculture (DA)
is hereby mandated to promote the use of aeroponics agriculture as an instrument to
further improve the production of high - value added crops and vegetables in the

country and address food security concerns

Idle government lands owned by either national or local goverments or available
land resources in State universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops

and vegetables using aeroponics agriculture.

SEC. 5. Comprehensive Research and Aeroponics Technology Applied in
Agricultural Production — For purposes of this Act the Department of Agriculture
(DA) is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive research and information drive

on aeroponics technology applied in agricultural production,

The DA is further enjoined to support research activities aimed at expanding
the knowledge and understanding of aeroponics technology and to invest in advanced
technology research in order to adopt State-of-the-art technologies to promote
agricultural production in our high value-added crops and vegetables.

SEC. 6. inclusion of Aeroponics Technology in Agricultural Training.
— Aeroponics technology as used in agricultural production shall be integrated in the
academic curriculum for secondary and tertiary levels students of both public and
private academic institutions studying courses in 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 six (6) months from the date of effectivity
hereof.


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SEC. 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the
Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and Commission on Higher
Education (CHED).

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). ~ Within six (6) months
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. 9. Separability Clause. — As any provision of or part hereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected

shall remain valid and subsisting

SEC, 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended

accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
the date of its complete publication in the official gazette or in at least two (2)

newspapers of general circulation

Approved.