Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act of 2025

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -7 P1:34 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT PROMOTING THE USE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND VERTICAL FARMING IN THE COUNTRY'S METROPOLITAN AREAS TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS AND REGENERATE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion, with nearly 70% residing in urban areas. This rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, intensifies challenges like food insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation. The United Nations projects that global food production must increase by 50% by 2050 to feed this growing population.! "Farming in the city" or urban agriculture offers a vital and innovative solution. It encompasses various forms of food production within cities, from community gardens to rooftop farms that provide fresh local produce. Organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) recognize urban agriculture's potential 1 United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs. 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN. https://www.un.org/uk/desa/68-world-population-proiected-live-urban-areas-2050-says-un#:~;text=Calendar- .68%25%2001%20the%20world%20population%20protected%20to%20live% 20in%2Qurban.to% 204.2%20billion% 20in%202 Q18. (Accessed on June 30, 2025); Weinberger, Mary Beth, Population Connection, New United Nations Population Estimates and Projections. Published on September 19, 2022. Avaiiable at https://populationconnection.org/article/new-united-nations- population-estimates-and- protections/#:~:text= The%202022%20and%202019%20revisions.and%2010.9%20billion%2C%20respectively). (Accessed on June 30, 2025); United Nations, "Food Production must double by 2050 to meet demand from World's Growing Population, Innovative Strategies Needed to Combat Hunger, Experts Tell Second Committee." Published on October 9, 2009. Available at https://press.un.org/en/2009/gaef3242.doc.htm. (Accessed on June 30, 2025),

to supplement local food supplies, foster community, and advance health and sustainability goals.2 Vertical farming is a specialized form of urban agriculture which utilizes vertically stacked layers for crop cultivation and uses soilless techniques like hydroponics and aeroponics. It offers an even more controlled environment and maximizes yield in minimal space. 3 This bill, therefore, recognizes and institutionalizes urban agriculture and vertical farming in highly-urbanized cities nationwide. It provides a comprehensive framework to harness their vast capabilities in boosting food security, promoting sustainable urban development, and building more resilient communities in the face of shifting global challenges. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN Sengtor https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/UNDP-Issue-Brief-Food-and-Agriculture-EN.pdf. (Accessed ol une 30,2025); IISD SDG Knowledge Hub. "Growing Greener Cities: Urban Agriculture and the Impact in SDG 11. Available a ttps://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/generation-2030/growlng-greener-cities-urban-agriculture-and-the-impact-on-sdg-11 Accessed on June 30, 2025 3 WasteX. What is Vertical Farming? A Sustainable Solution for Modem Food Production. Publlshed on March 6. Available at https://www.wastex.io/post/what-is-vertical-farming. (Accessed on July 1, 2025)

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF SESS PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -7 P1:34 SENATE S. No. 223 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN PROMOTING THE USE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND VERTICAL FARMING IN THE COUNTRY'S METROPOLITAN AREAS TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS AND REGENERATE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING 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. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Urban Agriculture and

Vertical Farming Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 protect the fundamental right of every person to adequate food supply and to 5 promote the achievement of self-sufficiency in food production. Towards this end, 6 key reforms for the development of modern, appropriate, cost-effective and 7 environmentally safe agriculture technologies are hereby encouraged in order to ensure the food security of the country.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms are

10 defined as follows: a) "Urban Agriculture" shall refer to the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of food in or around a village, town or city. Urban agriculture also involves animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture; b) "Vertical Farming" shall refer to the method of farming that is brought to the urban space by employing the concepts of indoor agriculture in skyscrapers and other modern buildings.

Sec. 4. Comprehensive Research on Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming.-

2 For purposes of this Act, the respective Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture 3 (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are hereby mandated 4 to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country's 5 metropolitan areas as an instrument to address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystem functions in the Philippines. Idle and/or abandoned 7 government lots and buildings owned by either the national government or local 8 governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges shall be 9 considered for growing crops, raising livestock, and producing food using the said methods. The DA and DOST shall support and launch research activities to expand 11 the knowledge and understanding of urban agriculture and vertical farming to be used in food production. A renewed investment in advanced technology research in order to adopt state-of-the-art technologies to improve agricultural productivity shall be launched pursuant thereto.

Sec. 5. Inclusion of Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming in Agricultural

Training.- Urban agriculture and vertical farming shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for secondary and tertiary ievel students of both public and private academic institutions with courses on 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 of this Act.

Sec. 6. Local Government Units' Participation.- Local government units shall

formulate a policy on the practice of urban agriculture and vertical farming, utilizing unused spaces and idle lands. This shall require the enactment of local legislation institutionalizing urban agriculture in all levels of the LGU. Local governments shall also grant necessary incentives to their constituents who actively participate in urban farming activities.

Sec. 7. Appropriations.- 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 Science and Technology

(DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education 2 (CHED).

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within six (6) months from the

4 date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of 5 Science and Technology shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause.- If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in 9 full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause.- All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,

and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,