QC opens urban veggie garden

Manila, Philippines - As part of its own efforts to contribute to food security, lower food prices, create livelihood opportunities and alleviate poverty, Quezon City has launched its “Joy of Urban Farming” program.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala formally inaugurated yesterday a 700-square meter urban vegetable garden at the Quezon Memorial Circle to serve as the showcase of the program.

According to Belmonte, the Joy of Urban Farming Program is a continuation of the Halamanan ng Bayan Program of former mayor and now Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

With the technical training by the Department of Agriculture and seeds provided by Allied Botanical Corp., the city government is encouraging residents and schoolchildren to grow their own vegetable patch on idle land.

Allied Botanical president and general manager Willy Co said his company has allocated five percent of their seed sales to support the city government’s urban farming program. Belmonte said there are already 33 base farms and 19 school farms.

The city government hopes to replicate the garden in all barangays and schools in Quezon City, she said.