School veggie farm program expanded

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has expanded the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) to promote proper nutrition and agricultural awareness among Filipino students nationwide.

For the current school year, 44,965 public schools are now participating in the GPP, marking a 50.6% increase from the 2022–2023 academic year.

The program plays a key role in supporting DepEd’s School-Based Feeding Program by providing fresh vegetables grown in school gardens, which are directly used in preparing meals for students.

“Kapag natuto ang mga bata kung saan nanggagaling ang pagkain nila at paano ito pinapalaki, mas naeengganyo silang kumain nang masustansya,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

Angara emphasized that the GPP is more than just a feeding initiative because the gardens also serve as open-air classrooms where students learn about agriculture, environmental care, and food sufficiency.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa gulay. Disiplina, pagtutulungan, at malasakit sa kalikasan at kapwa ang tinuturo natin dito,” he said.

With funding from local school resources and the SBFP, schools are empowered to grow organic vegetables that contribute to both student meals and hands-on learning experiences.

DepEd projects that by 2025, 94% of public schools nationwide will already have active garden interventions.

The program’s budget has steadily increased --from ?10 million in 2021 to ?20 million in 2024, with an expected rise to ?21.8 million in 2025-- reflecting the government’s continued support for the initiative.

Alongside the GPP, DepEd is also expanding the implementation of farm schools, a vision of then Senator Ed Angara, the current secretary’s late father, institutionalized through Republic Act No. 10618.

Under the secretary’s leadership, 152 farm schools are now operating in four regions to equip young Filipinos, especially in rural areas, with practical skills in agriculture, technical training, and entrepreneurship.

Angara called for increased support and funding for farm schools, stressing their importance in preparing the youth for careers in agriculture and agribusiness --sectors that are central to President Bongbong Marcos’ goal of achieving food security and economic stability. (CEBU NEWS)