Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has called on the residents of this island municipality to join the provincial government’s programs for food security and sustainability.
The provincial government has launched several programs to prevent food shortage in Cebu. These programs include the SUGBUsog and the SUGBU Negosyo, Garcia said on Thursday.
SUGBUsog is a program aimed to encourage non-farmers to grow vegetables in their backyard, while SUGBU Negosyo provides financial backing to those interested to put up small and medium-sized businesses.
“We launched these programs to help those who have lost their livelihood because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the governor said during his visit to the island town.
“Because of Covid we realized that we don’t have enough food for the people of Cebu,” she said.
Garcia also announced that they would also be launching “SUGBUsog sa Eskwelahan” in July to encourage the students to go into farming and pursue a career in agriculture.
“As we now know how to deal with the challenge brought about by the pandemic, I want you to join our food sustainability programs. We will provide you with the necessary farm products and fishing equipment,” she said.
“We should be united in this endeavor for food security,” she told Bantayan residents who attended the affair at the town’s sports center.
Earlier that day, the governor attended the grand opening of the 1st Bantayan Food Fair.
Bantayan Mayor Arthur Despi said the Food Fair is aimed at reviving the town’s glory as the “egg capital of the country” and being one of the top producers of seaweeds in the Philippines.
The food showcased and served during the Food Fair mostly consisted of fish, shellfish, and other sea creatures that can only be found in the waters of Bantayan.
The municipality is also the recipient of PHP 35.7 million worth of agri- and fisheries projects from the Department of Agriculture.
Despi said these projects would leapfrog the Bantayan’s food security program in preparation for the island’s tourism boom. (PNA)
