Idle lands in Quezon City that will be converted to urban farms are now exempted from Idle Land Tax by virtue of a new city ordinance.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte signed City Ordinance No. SP-2972 which exempts land owners from Idle Land Tax if they use the idle property for urban agriculture for a minimum period of three years.
The land should also bear produce for public or personal consumption.
“This Ordinance provides a much-needed push to our urban agriculture advocacy to help boost food security for our citizens, especially during the pandemic,” Belmonte said.
Quezon City Majority Flood Leader Franz Pumaren said the city, with a land area of 161.12 square kilometers, has numerous idle lands that can be used for urban agriculture.
The city government recently entered into a partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote urban gardening as a means to ensure stability of food supply and help alleviate poverty within the communities.
The Quezon City Task Force on Food Security, in coordination with the City Assessor’s Office, is tasked to issue a certification to qualified land owners prior to payment of Real Property Tax.