CALAPAN CITY - “We would like to introduce farming, particularly the organic agriculture and appreciate it at an early age of a child, that’s why we are launching this Garden in the School Project,” said Engr. Cristina Puyat-Intong, 4H Focal Person.
Garden in the School is parallel to the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” which aims to promote vegetable production in public elementary and secondary schools and to have ready food basket or source of vegetables in sustaining supplementary feeding.

Engr. Intong discussed the overview and guidelines of project as well as the responsibilities of the participants. She also explained to them the methodologies to be employed such as lectures, hands-on activities and learning journey to further appreciate the agriculture. Apart from these, she also informs the students that ATI together with 4H coordinator of Calapan will organize the pupils into an in-school 4H Club.

Meanwhile, Wilfredo Madrid, Head Teacher III of Pedro Tolentino Elementary School in Puting Tubig Calapan, Oriental Mindoro was very thankful because their school was chosen as beneficiary of Garden in the School Project.

“This project means a lot to us because it is a great help for the sustainability of our feeding program for our pupils,” Madrid said. Aside from the students, Madrid includes the Parent-Teacher Associations and selected 4Ps beneficiaries.

“We also include our community because we believe that the school is the show window of the barangay; and we are glad that our barangay officials have a huge support for this endeavor,” Madrid expressed.
Ramil Adoyo, Barangay Chairman of Puting Tubig confirmed their support and pledged their assistance throughout the implementation of the project.

Moreover, Susan Bautista, Acting Superintendent - Division of Calapan said that the Department of Education City Division is at full support especially that the Puting Tubig Elementary School is the only beneficiary in the region.

After the opening program, ATI-RTC MiMaRoPa distributed the training kits, farm inputs and tools.

A total of 50 participants consisting of the Supreme Pupil Governance, PTA Officers and selected 4Ps members attended the launching on July 31, 2017.