DURING these trying times, the true worth and meaning of “bayanihan” comes to life.
Of course, bayanihan is the Filipino way of helping each other, particularly at a time when the marginalized sector, the most vulnerable group during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, is greatly affected.
One particular endeavour to mention is the “Garden of Hopes” – a project of the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation, Inc., which brings great hope that envisions, for marginalized families, food sustainability and added income through the creation of edible gardens in vacant lots.
The NVC was established in August 2010 in Bacolod City by private citizens who believe that by pooling the energies, resources, talents, and skills of individuals, it can bring about a better future for Filipinos.
NVC also harnesses the power of private citizens to create positive and lasting change in their communities, towns, and cities, and in the country.
As part of its purpose, the NVC initiated a project that aims to create edible gardens in unused or empty urban lots in Bacolod City.
But in order to create gardens for the different types of vegetables, initial preparations are needed.
This is where the NVC tapped the resources of Bacolod City-based RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC).
The RUFMSC management readily dispatched its technical team to share their expertise in the development and preparation of the planting site.
The team brought an agricultural shredder where a prototype of the “first-ever” Filipino-made diesel engine is mounted.
The shredder is the versatile agricultural and industrial equipment specifically designed to accelerate and hasten the decomposition of organic waste, greens, and other biodegradable materials.
The team also brought a batch of African night crawlers that will be used for the preparation of vermibeds at the site.
“Thank you RU Foundry, Mr. Ramon Uy Sr., and Ms. Michelle Uy Cammayo for the use of your shredder and the jumpstart batch of worms for the vermibeds.
Your contribution to NVC Foundation’s ‘Gardens of Hope’ project is bringing great hope to this endeavor that envisions, for marginalized families, food sustainability and added income through the creation of edible gardens in empty urban lots,” NVC stated.
Incidentally, the breakthrough for the manufacture of the Filipino-made diesel engine was realized after the Metal Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology partnered with Supercast Foundry and Machinery Corporation, in collaboration with RUFMSC.
The “first” locally-made machine is a single-cylinder type 12-horsepower diesel engine, which is tough and reliable to be mounted and utilized on different agricultural machinery.
The engine is the output of creativity of the Filipinos which can directly benefit the Filipino farmers.
Initially, the locally-produced diesel engine is mounted on the RU Shredder which was manufactured by RUFMSC in order to test and evaluate the motor’s capacity, endurance, and power output.
The engine is expected to provide the required power to propel and/or operate different agricultural machinery and equipment, which can help hasten the implementation of the national government’s Farm Mechanization Program./PN
