The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Caraga Region of the Philippines has joined hands to boost government efforts in addressing the problem of hunger and ensuring a sustainable food supply
The two agencies participated in the nationwide simultaneous launching of the establishment of a barangay farming project dubbed as ‘Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement’ (PBBM).
The joint programme aims to ensure the availability of food in the communities by engaging barangay residents to produce food for their tables in urban agricultural settings.
Geared towards achieving food affordability, accessibility, and security in the country through urban and peri-urban agriculture and community engagement, the PBBM programme was made possible by merging two government initiatives on urban agriculture: DILG’s HAPAG sa Barangay Project and the DA’s Green Revolution 2.0: PBBM, which was led by the Bureau of Plant Industry, High-Value Crops Development Programme and National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Programme.
The ceremonial planting of vegetable seedlings was graced by the officers and representatives from DA, DILG, PNP, LGUs, religious groups, and the youth sector, where they signified a commitment to the project.
Dailinda M. Mamalis, High-Value Crops and Development Programme (HVCDP) regional coordinator, said, "DA has been doing this before. But in this project, we will empower more and capacitate every barangay and household to establish a communal garden. We will provide them training, tools, greenhouse facilities, and other support they would need to get started."
