HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ten 2°
Quezon City, Metro Manila 7
tive:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS BY:
First Regular Session Ye

1 77 5 RECISTRATION
HOUSE BILL NO. Besa

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Over the past few decades, we have been immensely overwhelmed with statistics of poverty all
over the world so much so that a great majority of us has come to accept it as an unfortunate and
irreversible situation. However, things have already changed in recent years and technological
advances we have been continuously experiencing have created encouraging new opportunities to
improve economies and reduce hunger.

In line with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and
reduce the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by the year 2015, as well as provide food
security for the country, this law shall provide ample opportunities for students and teachers to
widen their knowledge and to be equipped with the expertise on planting and harvesting of
vegetables and other high value crops. Research shows that a good amount of increase in vegetable
intake among children has been attributed to gardening projects, cooking classes, and other
creative activities.

It therefore is a primary concern of the State to enable people to reduce their dependence on food

aid. It too plays a crucial role in developing and improving agriculture practices, to sustainably
manage the forest and natural resources, and guarantee good nutrition for all.

_ Darkgalbrn.sd
NANCY AE CATAMCO

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.



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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1775
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING
A VEGETABLE GARDEN IN EVERY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY
ALLOCATING 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. There shall be established a Vegetable Garden in every elementary school
and high school in the country.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to reaffirm
the fundamental right of every person to health and to instill health consciousness among
them. The State shall also protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the State
shall commit itself to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, provide food security for the
country, and facilitate key reforms for the advancement of and support to vegetable production
and education.

‘SEC. 3. Construction and Maintenance - The Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby
mandated to be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act, to formulate a guideline of
requirements and to structure a timetable to ensure that each and every elementary school
and high school will have a its own vegetable garden.

In line with this, the DepEd shall closely coordinate with the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) for the construction, funding.
requirements, and any other pertinent matter needed in the proper implementation of this Act.


Idle government lands owned by either the national or local government or available land
resources shall be considered for growing vegetables and crops.

SEC 4. Inclusion of Vegetable Production in Academic Curriculum. - Vegetable
production shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for primary and secondary level
students of both public and private academic institutions. The Department of Agriculture (DA)
and Department of Health (DOH) are hereby mandated to closely coordinate with the
Department of Education (DepEd) to promote the use of vegetable production education and
shall support research activities to expand the knowledge and understanding of vegetable
production as an instrument to further improve the production of vegetable and other high
value crops and address the food security concerns in the country.

SECS. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Department of Education
(DepEd), in consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Health (DOH), shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within six (6) months from
the date of effectivity hereof.

SEC. 6. 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
Education (DepEd) during the year following its enactment. Thereafter, such sums are as
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. 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. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,