The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is encouraging local communities to start growing their own fruits and vegetables in response to the country's food scarcity issue.
On Wednesday, Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Felicito Valmocina said that through DILG's "Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay" (HAPAG) Barangay Project, residents will be encouraged to plant their own fruits and vegetables in open spaces and vacant lots in their area.
With the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Valmocina said the program provides starter kits, which include seeds, fertilizers, and gardening tools, to households interested in participating.
"Ang kailangan lang po natin dito ay maging seryoso ang mga barangay na kasama natin na mapatupad ito para matugunan na natin iyong food security," said Valmocina during the episode of DILG sa DZRH Breaktime on March 1.
"Kelangan po dito iyong seryosong kampanya at political will ng barangay chairman at iyong mga tao ay maturuan niya mismo kung paano ito ma-implement," he continued.
While the directive was only officially launched this year, Valmocina shared that their 'green revolution' partnership with local communities has been going on for 28 years.
On the other hand, of the 250,000 population in barangays, the DILG official said more than 10,000 families have already engaged with the planting project.
The project also targets to create a partnership between barangays and their respective local government units (LGU) to carry out activities that promote alternative gardening activities such as container gardening, vertical gardening, square foot gardening, hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.
"Kung makikita niyo iyong mga bahay diyan nakalagay sa paso, sa balde, sa kawayan iyong mga gulay. Kaya napakalaking tulong iyong pagtatanim dahil nakakapag-recycle din sila dito," Valmocina said.
The HAPAG sa Barangay Project is just one of DILG's initiatives to combat hunger and promote sustainable living.
