Promoting the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) platform on the family-based initiative on food security, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has started accepting entries for its search for the best community vegetable gardening project.
Leah Quintana, DSWD-7 information officer, said their office is now calling for participants in its first-ever “Search for Gulayan sa Barangay” project that will be formally launched in August.
She said in a statement on Wednesday the project is exclusively for 4Ps beneficiaries, aimed at honing their capabilities in engaging in such kind of government project.
Quintana said interested beneficiaries are encouraged to form a small group in undertaking this village-level vegetable gardening effort.
Those who are interested to join are invited to visit their Pantawid City/Municipal Link (C/ML) to know about the details.
Quintana said DSWD-7 will accept entries for the contest until August 9.
The Gulayan sa Barangay program, she said, is one of the platforms of 4Ps in promoting health, nutrition, and food security and encouraging the beneficiaries to engage in community gardening.
She said 4Ps beneficiaries are encouraged to come up with communal gardens planted with various kinds of vegetables, herbs, and spices where families can have access to fresh, organic, and nutritious food as well as stimulate savings, livelihood, and response to environmental protection.
The contest seeks exceptional village-based vegetable gardens based on the following indicators: the practice of organic culture, production, and variety of edible crops and vegetables, creativity and innovativeness, resourcefulness, and documentation, Quintana said.
The DSWD-7 will proclaim three winners per province in the region.
The first prize winner will get PHP10,000 while the second prize awardee will receive PHP5,000 and PHP3,000 for the third prize. They will all also receive a certificate of recognition.
Quintana said the program is anchored on the General Appropriations Act provision that the 4Ps shall require its beneficiaries to maintain organic vegetable gardens in open spaces within their areas. (PNA)
