The Local Government of Dasmariñas in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) IV-A, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Bureau of Plant Industry held the Regional Launching of HALINA’T MAGTANIM NG PRUTAS AT GULAY (HAPAG): AN OPERATIVE STRATEGY OF BUHAY INGATAN, DROGA’Y AYAWAN (BIDA) ADVOCACY. SULONG NA, SULONG PA! BARANGAYANIHAN, TUNAY NA BIDA!” on 20 July 2023 at the Isolation Facility, Brgy Langkaan 2, Dasmariñas City.
Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga welcomed the special guests from the DILG led by Undersecretary Felecito A. Valmocina, DILG USEC for Barangay Affairs, DILG 4-A Regional Director Ariel O Iglesia, CESO, DA IV-A Regional Director Milo D Delos Reyes, CESE, Director Dennis D. Villasenor, MNSA, CESO IV of National Barangay Operation Office, Congressman Pidi Barzaga, Governor Jonvic Remulla represented by Board Member Jun de la Cuesta, representatives from government agencies and stakeholders, and members of the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Dasmariñas.
During her speech, Mayor Barzaga expressed her gratitude to the DILG, and the DA for holding the activity in the city, in support of the city government’s programs that promote food security which they started during the pandemic.
DILG in partnership with the Department of Agriculture “HAPAG sa Barangay” aims to encourage the people to plant fruits and vegetables in the barangay and other free spaces in the backyard and create “Barangay Community Gardens” to address food insecurity by providing alternative and sustainable sources of nutritious food for Filipino families.
Another program of the DILG, the “BIDA Advocacy” is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of society that aims to combat the spread of illegal drugs through active community participation.
“Naniniwala tayo na ang epekto ng iligal na droga, gutom, at kahirapan ay magkakaugnay,” stated DILG IV-A RD Ariel Iglesia.
RD Iglesia further elaborated on the objectives of the program and signified that this initiative is a two-prong solution, “that while we address hunger and food insecurity, we also in the process strengthen family values and relations that in turn shall be the foundation for a healthier community.”
Meanwhile, DA Field Operations Division (FOD) OIC-Chief Engr. Redeliza A. Gruezo, explained the different programs on agriculture particularly the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) which focuses on cities and urban areas.
She shared that there are twenty-one (21) cities in the CALABARZON region including the city of Calaca in Batangas province.
NUPAP helps create Barangay Community Gardens in limited spaces thru urban agriculture to help families living in non-traditional food production communities to be resilient. This program not only provides safe and nutritious food to families but also gives an alternative livelihood and helps in solid waste management.
During the program, Mayor Jenny Barzaga led the HAPAG Pledge of Commitment in support of the advocacy to fight food insecurity and stop illegal drugs.
In closing, a boodle fight was held where special dishes were prepared from the fruits and vegetables harvested from the city’s community gardens.
Congressman Elpidio “PIDI” Barzaga was fully support to the program of DILG for the benefit & concern of their (MARGIE BAUTISTA)
