Without enough income, it is indeed a challenge to survive amid COVID-19.
Aside from the fear of being infected by the virus, most of us, especially of the vulnerable sector, struggle every day with food security being at stake.
Nevertheless, with the support from the national government through the national government agencies (NGAs) and the local government units (LGUs), we are given various opportunities that can help us cope up with the crisis.
In Candon City, Ilocos Sur, residents are expected to have a fresh supply of vegetables by engaging in community gardening.
Dubbed as “Gulayan sa Barangay,” the project aims to ensure food security and provide additional income to the communities of the second district of Ilocos Sur in this time of pandemic.
The project, which was initiated by the office of second district Representative Kristine Singson, was piloted in Candon City and eventually will be duplicated in the remaining 22 towns of the second district of Ilocos Sur.
“We are just waiting for the delivery of seed packets,” Rep. Singson said.
Before availing the program, all 42 barangays in the city identified a “Gulayan” area of at least 50 square meters (levelled and fenced).
In partnership with the LGU, the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the City Agriculture Office, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) through the City Nutrition Action Office, and the PUSO ti Kababaihan of the city, the recipient barangays recently received packets of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) and Hybrid Seeds from the DA such as Bitter gourd, Squash, Chinese Cabbage, and Eggplant among others.
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Barangay Councils also attended a Training Seminar on Crop Production and Management of Hybrid vegetable seeds to make sure that they are knowledgeable on the production and management of the garden.
Monitoring forms for the OPV and Hybrid Seeds were also provided and discussed to them.
The OPV seeds are intended for propagation while the Hybrid seeds are for commercial use to provide additional household income.
The recipients were also taught on how to manage their sales from the hybrid crops to ensure that they will have capital to purchase the next batch of seeds.
It is truly important to have a steady supply of food in the locality amid the health crisis, stressed City Agriculturist Angel Amado Corpuz in an interview.
“It is important that we have a steady supply of food in our locality so that we don’t depend on the other regions’ supply. Producing our own crop by implementing the “Plant, Plant, Plant” program of the DA and encouraging locals to grow their own produce helps minimize food shortage. Locals who lost their job due to the pandemic can also turn into agriculture for income generation,” he said.
The project also aims to capitalize on the spirit of “Bayanihan in the barangay” through the Barangay Councils and the BNS.
“Pinapatibay ng programang ito ang pagkakaisa namin sa barangay dahil sama-sama ang BNS, Barangay Health Worker, Tanods, 4PS, at Sangguniang Kabataan sa pag-maintain ng kaayusan at kalinisan ng gulayan, sa paglinis at pag-alaga ng tanim para manatili ang kaayusan at siyempre with the guidance of the barangay officials,” said barangay Captain Rolando Galicia of barangay Balingaoan, Candon City.
There are a total of 550 families in the said barangay and 60 of them are members of the 4PS.
Galicia said that the program is a big help to the community especially to the low income families.
“Malaking tulong ang programang ito sa mga low income families sa barangay kasi kapag lumago ang gulayan ay makapagbibigay ng malusog at preskong gulay para sa mahihirap na pamilya. Marami din itong maitutulong sa pagbuti ng kabuhayan para sa maipon na kaunting kita sa pagbentahan ng hybrid ay maitutulong sa mga mahihirap na kailangan ng tulong dito sa barangay,” he said.
“The barangay council together with our constituents pledge our full support to the fulfilment of the objectives of the program,” he further added.
With the positive response and successful kick-off of the project, Rep. Singson expressed his gratitude and instilled her hope to the recipients that they will work as one to continue and grow the project as their own.
“It is with deep gratitude that the barangay officials, BNS and barangay volunteers have already given their time and effort into this program showing the true “Bayanihan” spirit in our communities. We hope to see continuity and growth of vegetable farming in the barangay resulting in food security and creating a proper nutrition program for the community,” she said.
With the challenges brought by the pandemic, gardening is effective in ensuring food security and nutrition in the communities.
Programs like this, targeting the barangays, will transform each barangay into a self-sufficient community.
And through these programs, we unite as one community and stand stronger in facing these challenges.
