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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

nouse Bit No. 6859

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

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, it is 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 modern 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 enclosed frames that leave the leafy tips and the roots able to grow
up and down respectively. Because the roots are enclosed, 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 plants, without potting and repotting them to
replenish their access to nutrient-rich soil. With aeroponics, farmers may use vertical and horizontal
space to grow more plants using less floor space and conserve water by using sealed aeroponic
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
is 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 in our high value-added crops
and vegetables.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this

bill is earnestly sought.



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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __6359

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

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:

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the "Aeroponies Technology
in Agricultural Production Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby 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 modem, appropriate and cost-effective and environmentally
safe agricultural technology in order to ensure and provide food Security,

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


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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 governments or available
land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops and

vegetables using aeroponies agriculture.

SEC. 5. Comprehensive Research on Aeroponics Technology Applied in
Agricultural Production. ~ For purposes of this Act, the Secretary of 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 advance 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 level students of both public and private academic
institutions studying courses on Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and/or other

subjects related to agriculture.


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‘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,

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 (DA), Department of Education (DepEd) 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. - If any provision 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 OF issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provision 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,