Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Villages embark on 'gulayan' for residents' nutrition
IN THE efforts of the City Government to resolve the city's problem on malnutrition, as well as ensuring food security, the City Agriculturist's Office (CAO) continues to encourage various barangays to start a "gulayan" or a vegetable garden.
The project aims to raise awareness of the high nutritional content that vegetables have.
According to City Agriculturist Rocelio Tabay, people have started to veer away from eating vegetables and would rather opt to eat meat and junk food.
"Through this program, we hope to improve the nutritional status of the community," Tabay added.
He said the Gulayan sa Barangay also pushes for the growth and propagation of organically grown vegetables.
The same project is also used as a livelihood program for the barangay, as there is income in the production of vegetables.
The project promotes Solid Waste Management as the use of compost is highly suggested.
Among the 68 barangays that participated in the project, Barangay Matina Pangi stood out as the best barangay in the Urban Division while Barangay Pañalom of the Paquibato District bagged the top prize under the Rural Category. Each received cash prizes worth P50,000.
While the barangays of Tacunan and Matina Pangi were also awarded as the Most Innovative and Creative Gulayan sa Barangay participants.
CAO has started the Gulayan sa Barangay project in 2005 and is already on its second year. The third Gulayan sa Barangay project is slated to be launched in February. (CPM)
