ANGELES CITY -- “I would like to invite every Angeleño to start now. Urban gardening is a wise investment that we can provide our families on our own.”

Thus said Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan during the culmination of the city’s month-long celebration of the 44th Nutrition Month over the weekend at the Angeles City Hall.

Pamintuan called on every Angeleño household to kick-start their own backyard gardens and avail of the city’s services like free gardening tutorials and seedlings distribution.

During the event, three activities were held to highlight the benefits of having a vegetable garden through this year’s Nutrition Month theme, “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin!”

A poster-making contest, decoration of booths and a cooking competition were organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the City Agriculture Office (CAO) enjoining the participation of various sectors in the city.

CAO Urban and Greening Program Coordinator and Agriculturist Rea Dizon welcomed the guests with a motivational speech encouraging every household and the community to implement vegetable gardening that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

“This practice will create a generation that is healthy and wise. Implementing vegetable gardening would give us a safe and healthy food consumption,” Dizon said.

She also mentioned that this practice could help Angeleños financially, as not only is it thrifty, but it could also provide additional income. The use of recyclable materials such as used tires, and plastic bottles serve as pots.

It was a fruitful event as CSWDO head Joy Duaso said: “There are more participants this year and we are very grateful for their presence and support. We all deserve healthier selves and a better environment.”

In relevance to last year’s Task Force One Million Trees and Gulayan sa Barangay Project, urban gardening is expected to generate local products that provided families nutritious and quality vegetables while earning as well. (PR)