SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed a measure that aims to create instructional gardens in primary and secondary school curricula and promote urban agriculture to help address food security concerns.

Revilla expressed hope that
the establishment of instructional gardens will help mitigate hunger.

He said urban farming is one way to promote food security as it will provide access to agricultural products in cities and/or communities.

Senate Bill 1458 or the proposed Instructional Garden and Urban Agriculture Act of 2022, mandates the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical farming in urban and other areas.

Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either the national government or local governments, or available land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops and raising livestock.

Instructional Gardens program shall be integrated in the academic curricula for elementary and secondary students in public and private academic institutions, particularly in subjects in Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics, and/or other related subjects.