MAGALANG -- To engage the school youth in green activities, the Pampanga Green Youth Army (GYA) is set to expand this year, GYA Director General Raymundo Timbol said on Friday, January 31, at the Multipurpose Center, Pampanga State Agricultural University here.
"Ginagawa namin ang lahat upang maipakita sa lahat ang kagandahan ng GYA para ito ay gayahin [or benchmark] din sa Visayas at sa Mindanao," Timbol said.
The GYA, a government-subsidized organization, was first established in the province last 2018 to serve as an avenue for students in advocating for environment and food security awareness in their community.
The GYA manages greenhouses provided by government and non-government organizations. The organization also holds seminars through the support of the Department of Agriculture and other private organizations.
"Malaking tulong ito dahil nagiging productive ang youth at na-engage sila sa mga activities para makatulong sa community," Timbol said when asked about the aim of this organization.
Timbol shared the members plant vegetables they distribute to their local communities after harvesting.
At present, GYA has active partnership with six schools across Pampanga: Tinajero National High School in Magalang, Camachile National High School in Mabalacat, San Juan Bano High School in Arayat, Porac Model Community School in Porac, San Basilio High School in Sta. Rita, and Remigio Bondoc High School in San Luis.
Timbol said three schools in the City of San Fernando are in the early process of application.
In addition, 33 public and private schools in and out of Pampanga have submitted their application, which approval will depend on the directives of the Department of Agriculture.
"Masaya kami at maraming interesado, kaso syempre, dapat nating hintayin ang approval ng DA," he said. (Keanu Aebramh G. Costales)