TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite - The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) tapped the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center in Region IV-A in bringing capability trainings on Basic Urban Gardening to some residential areas in Cavite.

Urban Home-Based Food Production Program (UHFP) or Para sa Masa, Pagkain sa Mesa is one of NAPC's hunger-mitigation programs, currently being implemented in 26 resettlement sites of NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A.

Through ATI IV-A as program partner, nine batches of the said training covering topics on Home-Based Food Production Program, Hunger and Malnutrition Situation in the Philippines, Basic Urban Agriculture Technologies with hands-on exercises and the Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders will be discussed to 450 target beneficiaries in resettlement sites in Trece Martires City and Naic, Cavite.

The first batch of training was held in San Francisco Homes, Barangay Lallana in Trece Martires City, Cavite on October 18 - 19, 2018. Housewives composed majority of the participants, who are expected to prepare an action plan for their backyard or community urban garden.

In support to the project, ATI IV-A Partnerships and Accreditation Services Section Chief, Ms. Sherylou C. Alfaro addressed the participants during the opening program, in behalf of Center Director, Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico. Meanwhile, Municipal and City Resettlement Officers together with Mr. Patricio Avilla, Agricultural Technologist from the city served as facilitators and lecturers.

The next batches of trainings scheduled until end of November are targeted to communities of Barangay Hugo Perez, Aguado and Cabuco in Trece Martires City, and Dorotea Homes 1&2, Belmont Homes Phase 1&2, Harbor Homes and Verdant Homes in Naic, Cavite.

This joint project of NAPC and ATI Region IV-A is part of the government's strengthened efforts in beating hunger and providing safe food in urban areas.

With reports from: Ms. Sherylou C. Alfaro