A FAMILY from Badian town, Cebu that advocates organic farming was recognized as the model family by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Franciso Elardo and his family emerged as the model Pantawid family in Central Visayas for 2019. They received a cash prize and a plaque of recognition during the awarding ceremony held in Cebu City on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
The Elardos were not only able to comply with the conditions set by the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), but they also set a good example as a family—sustaining togetherness and becoming active citizens in their community despite the challenges brought by poverty.
The Pantawid program aims to improve the health and education of the poor households with children aged 18 years old and below by providing health and education grants, including rice subsidy.
A college dropout, Elardo, 46, used to work in a paint factory to support his family in Barangay Taytay, Badian. An illness forced him to quit his job and start farming in his village.
Elardo attended a seminar in 2010; it inspired him to start organic farming.
Supported by his wife Marilou and their children Reese and Christian, Elardo started by planting a variety of vegetables and fruit-bearing trees such as papaya, guyabano, tambis, avocado, coconut and guava in their 1,000 square meter backyard.
Elardo’s eldest child Reese, 19, contributes by using her creativity in making artistic plant pots. Christian and his mother help tend their plants.
The family also maintains a tilapia fish pond in their backyard.
“I learned that it is not necessary to spray chemicals when farming,” Elardo said.
He encouraged other 4Ps partner-beneficiaries to follow the natural farming system. Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes.
In 2013, Elardo converted his backyard garden into a demonstration farm so he could teach organic farming to high school and college students who visit his farm.
He also discusses the natural farming system using indigenous microorganism, fermented plant juice and fermented fruit juice.
“Even if it’s tiresome sometimes, I am happy to demonstrate to the students because I love to share my knowledge on organic farming,” Elardo said.
The Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture has tapped Elardo as one of the resource speakers in its organic vegetables farming seminar.
He also works as a barangay coordinator of the Farmer Scientist Training Program and a farmer’s trainer under the Office of the Cebu Provincial Agriculturist.
Just like taking good care of plants, Elardo believes that parenting needs good foundation.
“We are only four in the family, so we have an open communication at home. And if there is a problem, we can resolve it immediately because we help each other as one family,”
he said. WBS