LIPA CITY, BATANGAS -- Agriculture Secretary William Dar visited recently one of the community beneficiaries of the “Stables and Greens: Agri-Livestock Integrated Support to COVID-19- Prone Areas” (ALIS-COVID), a collaborative project of the Agricultural Training Institute -International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH), East-West Seed, and the Local Government of Lipa City, Batangas. This project was launched in 2020 in support of the ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program of the Department of Agriculture.

This project aims to mitigate food insecurity caused by the pandemic and shall empower communities to become self-sufficient and even earn additional income.

East-West Seed is continuously providing trainings to selected community members on how to successfully grow vegetables while ITCPH is providing trainings on raising free-range chickens among the community members.

Joining him on the tour of the 200-square meter garden are Dr. Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco, Center Director, Dr. Mary Ann P. Sayoc, Group Lead Public Affairs of East West Seeds, Ms. Vilma Dimaculangan, OIC RED DA-RFO IVa, Asst.Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa, Asst. Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, Hon. Eric Africa, Lipa City Mayor, Dr. Sam Comia, City Veterinarian, and Hon. Quintin Piol, Barangay Captain of San Benito, Lipa City.

Currently, the community beneficiaries in Lipa City are Barangay San Benito, Barangay Pinagtong-olan, Barangay Marawoy, Barangay Lodlod, Missionary Sisters of the Incarnation at Barangay Tambo, SOS Children’s Village, Barangay Dagatan, Barangay Cumba, Sta.Terista-Sto.Tomas, and Oblates of Saint Joseph.

The project will run until 2022.