Upholding the country-wide implementation of the Plant, Plant, Plant Program, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera, with the City Veterinary and Agricultural Office, distributes inputs for the urban gardens. The beneficiaries were from Barangays Magsaysay, Sto Niño, Slaughter Compound, and P. Burgos. This is in line with the DA mandate of attaining food security amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period.
For the distribution, DA-CAR has prepared over 20,000 assorted vegetable seedlings which were potted in recycled papers. Per Baguio City Agricultural Production Coordinating Officer Dr. Ofelia Pacio Ducayag, this makes it easier for the beneficiaries to transplant because all they have to do is remove the pots bottoms so as not to disrupt the developing root system of the seedlings.
Baguio City Veterinarian Dr. Brigit Piok encourages the beneficiaries to use their biodegradable kitchen food waste as their fertilizers. This can go hand in hand with the trichoderma microorganisms multiplied by the DA-CAR Integrated Laboratory Division, as it helps with its faster decomposition. The ILD, also, has concocted organic insecticides (0.005% neem solution per bottle) to fight chewing beetles, cutworms, and armyworms.
In addition, the Bureau of Plant Industry-Baguio National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center gave away packets of varied vegetable seeds accompanied with starter bags of urea and bioganic fertilizer.
Dr. Piok says during the orientation that the distributed seedlings can provide the beneficiaries with nutrition, as well as possible livelihood options.
Aside from the food sustainability that beneficiaries can gain from this project, the sense of responsibility is also something that should be just as acknowledged, according to 52-year old Sto Niño resident Gavino Itay Jr. He adds, its good that the government was able to innovate a project like this during this time of crisis. Its a good outlet for those who were physically, psychologically, and financially affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Integrated Laboratory Division Chief Dr. Arlene Sagayo confirms that the next wave of possible distribution will take place after two weeks.**
