Gwen, Greg lead planting of sweet potato in Naga

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez yesterday led the planting of sweet potato on a 1.3-hectare province-owned lot in barangay Inayagan, Naga City.

Garcia and Sanchez took the lead so that the public may help push the production of kamote, a rice substitute, in the wake of rising prices of basic commodities.

“Dili na lang nato utingkayon nganong nagkamahal ang palaliton. Atong tan-awon unsa atong mahimo pagkontrolar sa sitwasyon,” Garcia said before the start of the ceremonial planting of sweet potato.

Garcia again urged Cebuanos to eat sinanduloy – a mix of rice and sweet potato. She pointed out that with sinanduloy, people won’t have to cook a large amount of rice, and that the nutritive value of kamote is more beneficial to consumers.

Garcia came to know of this local food during a stop in the municipality of Moalboal during one of the tours of the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbu” program of the provincial government.

Sweet potato may be a “lowly crop”, but it contains anti-oxidants; is low in sodium and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. The root crop is also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6 and potassium.

As for Sanchez, he recalled how our forefathers coped with the very scarce supply of the staple during World War II by eating kamote.

“Panahon sa gubat, nabuhi sila’g kinaon sa kamote. Hinaot pa unta nga dili lang karon kita mananom og kamote. Himoon ni nato nga passion,” he said.

Provincial Board members Victor Maambong, Agnes Magpale, Joven Mondigo, Jr.; Alfie Ouano, Wilfredo Caminero, Peter John Calderon, and Julian Daan; cities and municipal mayors, department heads and Capitol employees attended the kamote planting.

Aside from a Capitol inter-department contest on sweet potato production, the provincial government is also initiating a contest among the LGUs on the following categories – Best Performing LGU in supporting the Saksak program, Best Saksak Recipe, and Best Sweet Potato Backyard Gardening and Production.

Departments at the Provincial Capitol will be tasked to plant at least two varieties of kamote in an assigned area.

The Provincial Agriculturist’s Office will oversee compliance with the contest rules and provide technical assistance to the participating groups. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV