BAGONG SILANGAN, Quezon City—The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Plant, Plant, Plant” Program transforms another community in Quezon City with the establishment of a communal garden at a local learning center.

Under the Urban Agriculture initiative of the program, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) supported the launch of a community garden at the Headstart Campus in Bukluran, Barangay Bagong Silangan to empower residents and provide them the means to grow their own food for nutritional and economic advantages.

Representatives from the ATI-Partnerships and Accreditation Division were joined by Barangay Chairperson Wilfredo Cara, Jay Del Rosario from the Office of City Councilor Estrella Valmocina, and Walter Camque of the Council for the Development of Volunteer Leaders.

“This program is very timely in ensuring adequate supply of readily, safe, and nutritious food within the community. You may now grow your own food right in your backyard or in any available space in your households,” Cara said as he addressed the residents and called for their cooperation for the success of the project.

To further develop the Headstart Campus community garden, the ATI provided farming inputs including seeds, soil, and basic gardening tools. Members of the community also received around 100 starter kits containing assorted vegetable seeds, compost, garden soil, poly bags/pots, seedling trays, garden tools, and information materials to be used in setting up their own home gardens.

“Rest assured that this “Plant, Plant, Plant” Program of the Department of Agriculture will not just provide food but employment as well,” Camque stressed.

For his part, Del Rosario looked forward to the success of the project and to future urban farming initiatives in Barangay Bagong Silangan which he called as a “Special Agricultural Zone” in Quezon City.

The launch of the community garden at Headstart was held on August 12, 2020. (With reports from Sherrie Dreje)