Sen. Mark Villar is pushing for the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. 1422, or the proposed Integrated Urban Agriculture Act, as rising fuel prices threaten to disrupt food supply chains and drive up the cost of basic goods.
Villar said the ongoing fuel crisis, linked to disruptions in the Middle East, has exposed the vulnerability of the country’s long-distance food distribution system, with higher diesel prices increasing transportation and production costs across the agricultural sector.
According to the senator, the situation has added pressure on food security as farmers, fisherfolk, and traders face mounting expenses for irrigation, fishing operations, hauling, and logistics. He cited projections from agriculture officials and experts warning that food prices could rise by as much as 20 percent to 60 percent in a worst-case scenario if fuel costs continue to climb.
National inflation reached 4.1 percent in March 2026, Villar said, underscoring the broader economic impact of the fuel price surge on Filipino households.
‘Long-distance food supply chains are highly vulnerable to fuel shocks. Every additional peso in diesel cost ripples through farms, fishing boats, trucks, and markets, ultimately burdening Filipino households with more expensive rice, vegetables, fish, and other basic commodities,’ Villar said.
The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize integrated urban agriculture nationwide by encouraging the use of idle government lands, open spaces, rooftops, vertical farming systems, and community gardens in urban areas. It also aims to provide incentives, technical assistance, and funding support for localized food production.
Villar said the bill could help reduce the country’s dependence on fuel-intensive food transport while also cutting post-harvest losses and creating community-based livelihood opportunities.
‘Urban agriculture is a practical, immediate, and sustainable solution. By growing food closer to consumers, we cut transport costs, lower carbon emissions, create green jobs in communities, and strengthen our resilience against external shocks like the current fuel crisis,’ he said.
He added that the current fuel situation highlights the urgency of adopting measures that can cushion urban communities from rising food costs and possible supply disruptions.
Villar said his office is prepared to work with government agencies, local government units, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to speed up the measure’s passage.
‘My office is ready to collaborate fully with stakeholders, government agencies, local governments, and civil society to move this bill forward quickly,’ he said. ‘We must act decisively so that the fuel crisis does not become a food crisis.’
The senator also called on fellow lawmakers, farmers’ groups, urban communities, and concerned citizens to support the immediate advancement of Senate Bill No. 1422.