A bill promoting urban agriculture authored by Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher De Venecia and other congressmen has been passed by Congress on the third reading.
In a statement on Monday, de Venecia said House Bill No. 8385, an act promoting integrated urban agriculture in urban areas nationwide to address food security, aims to inculcate in the minds of the Filipinos that food production can be done not only in the rural areas but also in the urban areas.
“Under the proposed act, local government units shall identify and develop idle government lands and private lands and buildings without, however, prejudice to the owners of the private lands, buildings, and open spaces within their jurisdiction, for partial or full conversion solely to a community garden, food forest garden, urban farms and/or vertical farms to support community and food nutrition,” he said.
Funds will be provided for the bill. De Venecia said under the proposed law, the Department of Agriculture is also mandated to provide the necessary technical assistance and support services, including the provision of seeds, seeding, gardening tools, access to loans for government financial institutions, and training workshops that shall capacitate various stakeholders.
De Venecia said urban agriculture is important amid alarming projections that in 50 years, the Philippines is expected to double its more than 100 million population. “Meaning, there will be more than 100 million more mouths to feed soon,” he said. De Venecia added this will not only benefit the province of Pangasinan, which is an agricultural province, but also other provinces all over the country.
The proposed law promoting urban agriculture that was approved on third reading by Congress last week is now awaiting the approval of the Senate in the bicameral conference.
Source: Philippine News Agency