IN PHOTOS: Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar, together with Assistant Secretary for Operations Engr. Arnel V. de Mesa and DA CALABARZON OIC-Regional Executive Director (RED) Vilma M. Dimaculangan, visits Stables and Greens, an Agri-Livestock Integrated Support to COVID-19-Prone Areas (ALIS-COVID), in San Benito, Lipa City, Batangas on February 11, 2021.
Through this three-way partnership among Agricultural Training Institute – International Training Center on Pig Husbandry led by Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco; East-West Seeds Corporation led by its Public Affairs Lead Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc; and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lipa City led by Hon. Mayor Eric B. Africa, the Stables and Greens project, is in support of DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program, which aims to sustain food security amidst the COVID-19 pandemic through urban agriculture methods and techniques.
During the visit, Secretary Dar encourages the lead implementers to continue this project to increase food supply in Lipa City and Metro Manila.
“We need to replicate this project in other areas so we can continue supplying food in Metro Manila. Let us continue working with the LGU and lead the fight against hunger,” Secretary Dar said.
In response to Secretary Dar’s directive, RED Dimaculangan vows to continue DA CALABARZON’s partnership and commitment to the project by providing additional production support services and investments to achieve sufficient food supply and maintain income for the farmers.
They toured around the 1,500-square meter garden maintained by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to see where vegetables, meat, and eggs are produced.
The Stables and Greens (ALIS-COVID) Project has six initial project areas across Lipa City. In 2022, four more projects will be added to that list of sustainable community gardens.
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