Urban gardening pushed in Lapu public schools

CEBU, Philippines — Public schools in Lapu-Lapu City are strengthening urban gardening and waste management initiatives through PROJECT C.R.O.P. (Cleanliness and Recycling for Organic Produce), a joint program of the Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Division and the city government aimed at promoting environmental stewardship among learners.

The program is being implemented across the city’s 10 school districts as part of efforts to integrate sustainable practices into school communities and transform idle campus spaces into productive gardens.

PROJECT C.R.O.P. evolved from Project CINDI (Community-Integrated Nutrition through Diverse Initiative in School Urban Gardening), which initially focused on urban farming.

The enhanced program now incorporates a comprehensive solid waste management component following a city-wide inventory of public schools conducted by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan said the initiative seeks to instill environmental responsibility among students by combining agriculture, recycling, and proper waste management within the school setting.

“This initiative integrates sustainable practices directly into our campuses, encouraging environmental accountability among our youth,” Mayor Chan said.

The city-wide program was formally launched on June 5, 2026 in observance of World Environment Day through simultaneous activities across all districts.

At the Science and Technology Education Center in District 5, city and education officials led the ceremonial planting of a vertical garden to highlight innovative approaches to urban agriculture.

Attending the activity were Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Andales, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ronald Ferrer, Program Focal Person Dr. Lynn Rose Amistad, school heads, teachers and OIC-CENRO Jocelyn Abayan.

Officials said vertical gardening is being promoted, particularly in schools with limited open spaces, allowing campuses to maximize available areas while supporting biodiversity and food production.

To support the program, CENRO distributed vegetable seed packs to school heads for their respective Gulayan sa Paaralan projects. Additional seed distributions were also carried out in other districts.

DepEd and city officials said PROJECT C.R.O.P. is expected to help develop environmentally-conscious learners while providing practical lessons on agriculture, recycling, and waste responsibility. — /BRP (FREEMAN)