On October 28, 2024, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), through its Agricultural Engineering Division (BPI-AED) and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), officially handed over two nursery structures in Muntinlupa City. This initiative involved collaboration with two beneficiaries: Barangay Alabang Urban Farming and Brgy. Cupang.
The newly established facility creates an optimal environment for plant growth, effective pest management, and protection of seedlings from harsh weather conditions. These features are essential for producing healthy seedlings for urban gardens.
Hon. Luvi P. Constantino, Chairperson of Brgy. Cupang, began the ceremony with welcoming remarks, expressing gratitude for the support from DA-BPI and NUPAP, led by BPI Director Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, and for the local government’s commitment to promoting urban agriculture.
In his message of support, Hon. Joel de Mesa, Secretary of Brgy. Alabang highlighted the initiative’s importance in improving the community’s access to fresh food.
Mr. Erlindo T. Abas, Jr., the City Agriculturist from the DA-Extension Services Office, emphasized the initiative’s significance for food security, aligning with Muntinlupa’s city ordinance to institutionalize urban agriculture. He also thanked DA-BPI, DA-NUPAP, and the local government for their collaborative efforts in creating avenues to produce a safe, affordable, and accessible food supply for the community.
Mr. Jose Francisco A. Teodoro, Project Development Officer III from NUPAP, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Director Panganiban. He emphasized the initiative’s role in achieving food security and supporting a sustainable food system. Additionally, he commended the local government unit (LGU) for actively supporting this partnership and demonstrating a strong commitment to helping the local community through urban agriculture.
The awarding of certificates and the symbolic handing over of keys to the two beneficiaries formalized the turnover. Ms. Aira Caldoza, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Brgy. Alabang expressed her appreciation for the DA’s ongoing support and assured that the youth would actively engage in the urban agriculture initiative to ensure sustainability. Mr. Nestor Sarmiento, HAPAG coordinator, also expressed gratitude for the national government’s support for urban gardening, emphasizing agriculture’s vital role in local food production. Mr. Caldoza also expressed interest in establishing another greenhouse to further assist the community.
Engr. Elaiza Nicole S. Dotimas, the NUPAP Focal Person of the DA-BPI and OIC-Chief of the BPI-AED, delivered the closing remarks. She thanked the two beneficiaries and the LGU for their partnership in promoting urban agriculture. She also acknowledged the ongoing support of NUPAP and BPI in providing these structures and emphasized the importance of monitoring production data to ensure their sustainability. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the distribution of agricultural inputs.
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