T. Padilla leads urban greening move

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay T. Padilla officials started planting malunggay in a move to start the greening of a barangay situated at the middle of a highly-urbanized area.

Barangay Captain Michael Ralota and other officials yesterday started planting in an uncultivated lot which they plan to eventually change into a green garden of naturally-grown produce.

“We hope to develop this lot into a productive garden for food production which is closer to the community,” Ralota said in Cebuano.

He said that they will look for other natural ways to further develop the 200-square-meter lot to reach their ideal eco-garden.

Ralota also said that on November 15 they will finalize their plans for their greening programs.

The barangay ordinance will fully implement their green programs in the barangay which will include box planting and converting the old T. Padilla market into an all-organic and green market.

The future market will prohibit the use of plastic bags and unnaturally produced crops.

The barangay’s effort has the full support for the Road Revolution movement in Cebu City. 

Currently, the organization is currently coordinating with four other barangays in Cebu City for a similar greening project.

With the said project being supported by the Association of Barangay Councils they hope it will not be long before Cebu City will be known for its organic produce.

The said project will also be the city’s response to curb climate change and to foster protection of the environment towards a sustainable and greener Cebu.

The movement has organized various activities in the previous months.

The first activity last June gained praise, but the closure of a large portion of downtown last September was met with criticism after hundreds were trapped in traffic jams throughout the city. (FREEMAN)