ILOILO City – For promoting food resiliency, especially during disasters, seven container garden implementers in this city were recognized by the City Agriculturist Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao said they encourage residents to engage in container gardening since the city, with its dense population, is a huge food consumer.
So far, 21 villages have embarked on container gardening. They underwent hands-on training, were supplied with farm inputs, and were subjected to a weekly visitation by agriculture technicians.
“Even without the contest, we want it to be a way of life for our city residents to utilize any vacant space or small area for planting that can augment their food,” said Garingalao in dialect.
Recognized in a ceremony held at the Ker Building on Monday afternoon were the Bakhaw Integrated School for Best in Container Gardening; the Army Veterans Village for Best in Production; Barangay Don Esteban for Best in Creativity and Resourcefulness; Barangay Punong for Best in Usage of Container Gardening Materials; and Cubay Elementary School for Best in Community Involvement.
They were judged based on harvest and solid waste management, Garingalao added.
Barangays Bonifacio in Arevalo and Lapuz Norte received special awards.
Meanwhile, CDRRM Officer Donna Magno said they promote food sufficiency and resiliency where every household has its source of fresh produce, especially in times of calamities.
“It’s available within their reach. While they have the option to buy, if it’s just in their household, then whether or not they have income, they are assured of nutritious food,” said Magno. (PNA)/PN
