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Barangay food security bill in Senate gains supports
The bill also aims to mandate local government units to identify idle lands, public parks, public school grounds, and idle private lands that are suitable for growing vegetable crops. (Pexels photo)
MANILA – A bill promoting food security programs at the barangay level has gained support from different government agencies.
This, after the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) endorsed Senate Bill 395 or the Barangay Food Security Bill filed by Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.
“For the proposed bill, we are 100 percent in favor. We are supporting this bill kasi ito po ay isa sa mga kulang din na legislation na dapat i-push (because this is one of the needed legislations that should be pushed),” said Bien Saint Garcia of the DA’s Legislative Liaison Office during the Senate local government committee hearing on Thursday.
Garcia said Ejercito’s bill will strengthen the DA’s initiatives to promote urban farming.
DepEd Youth Formation Division officer-in-charge Rovin James Canja said the DepEd’s “Gulayan sa Paaralan Program” can be integrated into the implementation of the measure once it becomes a law.
Ejercito said devoting idle lands in public schools to farming would help students develop an appreciation for agriculture.
“In this modern age, as basic education, our children have to be exposed to farming and planting. Kasi dati noong panahon natin, meron pa nun. Ngayon, ang alam na lang ng mga bata, panay computer, panay Farmville. ‘Yon na lang ata experience nila sa farming (We experience it during our time but today, children are more familiar with computer especially Farmville. That is their experience in farming),” Ejercito said.
Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, Philippine Councilors’ League, and Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas also backed Ejercito’s proposed measure.
The bill also aims to mandate local government units to identify idle lands, public parks, public school grounds, and idle private lands that are suitable for growing vegetable crops.
For areas where such lands are unavailable, the bill proposes the construction infrastructure for vertical gardening and hydroponic systems.
The DA will be required to provide the seeds and tools for the implementation of the program.
Jessabell Advincula
September 8, 2022 at 11:43 PM
It is such a great news to field of agriculture, being addressed and given priority to laws and making an action to strengthen our agricultural sector. By this bill, it will show our country’s identification as an agricultural country. Building new opportunities and teaching young one’s about agriculture is a a great achievement. Reviving the era where agriculture is important and wasn’t looked down by the young one’s. Students will also understand the feeling of achievement harvesting the same crop they planted. This will help them understand agriculture and its importance. This bill will also help the country meet the supply and demand of the market lessening the importation needed and prioritizing the local farmers. Another positive impact of it is in the employment rate of the country having more land to cultivate, more people will have work and this will also help in decreasing the level of poverty in the country. This kind of law are the laws that must be discussed and passed, laws that will benefit the lower side of the society and help them overcome the poverty and hunger they are suffering today.
Justine Mendoza
September 9, 2022 at 10:26 AM
I agree.Food security ay dapat mag uumpisa sa pinaka maliit na unit Ng lipunan- Ang BARANGAY.Ito Ang mga batas na dapat ISINUSULONG at pinagyayaman.5 points kayo sa akin.
Joana Mendoza
September 9, 2022 at 11:22 AM
Good news.Good job.More on this relevant bill please.Food security dapat mag umpisa sa baba.Dapat din alalayan ang mga farmers para dumami ani at kita nila.