Tarlac goes organic for Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - Instead of guns and ammunition, the soldiers at various military installations in Tarlac are sharing vegetables, fish and goats with indigent communities in the province.

Nearly 200 families in Barangay Mayang in La Paz, Tarlac recently received gift packages from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Tarlac Heritage Foundation (THF).

Dr. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, chairperson of THF, told reporters, “This is the way we would like to celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season, by gift-giving to the different barangays in Tarlac province.”

Suntay said that the gift packages contain pickled organic vegetables, rice, fish, goats and “Seeds of Hope.”

Barangay Mayang chairman Nicolas Gapay said the residents felt very honored that the soldiers visited them and gave them such gift packages. Barangay Mayang has a population of 1,622 and the residents’ main source of income is farming.

Herminia Garate, 57, one of the recipients, said the “Pamaskong Handog ng Kasundaluhan sa mga Tarlakenyo” gift-giving activity made them very happy, and she thanked the soldiers and the THF for the package.

According to Suntay, by giving organic gifts they hope the recipients will have healthy organic food on their table this Christmas season.

The organic vegetables, hito (catfish) and tilapia were raised in the sprawling grounds of “Hardin ng Lunas” at the headquarters of the Mechanized Infantry Army Division in Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac.

The hito is raised in the fishponds of the 33rd Mechanized Company located in Sitio Jolo, Barangay Guiteb, Ramos, Tarlac. The organic rice is raised by the indigenous Aeta community in San Jose, Tarlac in cooperation with Suntay and the 32nd Mechanized Company in Barangay Burgos, San Jose, Tarlac.

The Boer and Anglonubian goats are raised at the headquarters of the 31st Mechanized Company in Barangay Balete, Tarlac City.

The “Seeds of Hope” package includes various vegetable seed packs such as okra, eggplant, tomato, squash, water spinach and Chinese cabbage, which are distributed to the different barangay units in Tarlac to encourage the residents to plant together in the spirit of bayanihan, just like what the AFP has done with the Hardin ng Lunas under AFP’s program.

Vegetables, fish and fruits constitute a healthy diet and should be the staple of a Filipino meal. We believe that a healthy person, a healthy soldier and healthier communities make a stronger AFP and a great nation,” said Suntay.

THF and the AFP have been working together in providing community service in the province of Tarlac.

It is the hope of the AFP that the Pamaskong Handog ng Kasundaluhan will empower the barangays to be self-sufficient in providing for their own food needs.

At least 375 indigent families in the towns of La Paz and Victoria have received gifts from the AFP in partnership with THF. 

They are targeting 3,500 indigent families as project beneficiaries.