In line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Plant, Plant, Plant program, a virtual ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on edible landscaping (EL) project in Brgy. Batasan Hills, Quezon City was held on 13 July 2021 via Facebook live.
The MOA signing formalizes the agreement between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) EL Team through UPLB Foundation, Inc., and its partners and stakeholders from the Quezon City Local Government and its Food Security Task Force, Brgy. Batasan Hills, Star Homeowners Association, DA-BAR, and DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
“For the last 10 years, the UPLB EL team has been working with our partner agencies and organizations for the public and private sector in the promotion of EL technology as a viable method of addressing food security,” said Dr. Sanchez.
“The onslaught of the pandemic has called for the ramping up of our efforts as a response to the needs of the present situation. The team has been working on additional projects which are in line with DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant program,” he added.
Funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), the project aimed to establish EL gardens among low- and middle-income households in urban and peri-urban communities toward food self-sufficiency.
“Sa proyektong ito, kayo po ay matutong mag-edible landscaping. Titiyakin po namin na kayo ay aming tutulungan at bibigyan ng assistance sa project na ito,” said DA-BAR director Mamaril as he extended his gratitude towards Star Homeowners Association in their participation in the project.
Signing the MOA were Hon. Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, Quezon City mayor; Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, DA-BAR director; Dr. Rosana P. Mula, DA-ATI deputy director; Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, UPLB Foundation, Inc. executive director; Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UPLB EL project leader; Hon. John M. Abad, Brgy. Batasan Hills captain; and Teodoro B. Ochavillo, Star Homeowners Association president.
Meanwhile, Abad and Ochavillo expressed their heartfelt gratitude and commitment to the project.