BASCO, BATANES - DILG Batanes Provincial Office headed by OIC-Provincial Diector, Catherine G. Allam-Miranda, in partnership with Department of Agriculture- Batanes Experiment Station and PLGU Batanes thru its Provincial Agriculture Office, launched the Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay Project on February 8, 2023 at Sitio Sungahan, Barangay Chanarian.
Launched in the the capital town of Basco, and the first in the region, the Hapag project aims to strengthen the capacities of barangays to sustainable agricultural initiatives. Under the program, households and communities are urged to produce fruits and vegetables from their backyards and spaces, as well as vacant areas in the barangays. Other municipalities in the province are expected to follow suit and hold their respective project launching.
Among those present were Mr. Justinne Socito, representing Gov. Cayco, Basco Municipal Mayor, Hon. German A. Caccam, Provincial Agriculturist-Mr. Cesar Doroteo V. Hostallero, Department of Agriculture-Batanes Experiment Station Manager-Dr. Richard Q. Paddayuman, LNB Provincial Federation President Hon. Benigno B. Cobico, Punong Barangay Hon. Bernardo H. Mernelo and all barangay officials of Chanarian.
In her message, OIC-PD Allam-Miranda remarked that the launching of the program will serve to strengthen the institutionalization of the food sufficiency program of the province.
DILG Batanes OIC-PD Catherine G. Allam-Miranda plants a vegetable during the HAPAG project launching in Barangay Chanarian, Basco.
“Magtanim ng gulay, kumain ng gulay upang humaba, tumatag at guminhawa ang buhay” was the message of Mr. Socito. This is congruent to the initiatives already established since 2018 as part of the sustainable food sufficiency program of the Province through the leadership of Gov. Marilou H. Cayco.
Meanwhile, Mayor Caccam pleaded for the support and strengthening of other similar agricultural programs that are focused on attaining food security. Other local officials present during the activity also conveyed their messages of support to the said project.
The HAPAG sa Barangay Project was initiated in support to the present administration’s thrust in addressing the problem of hunger by employing a strategy to diversify food sources and contribute to ensuring food security in the country. It aims to strengthen the capacities of barangays towards sustainable agricultural initiatives, one of which is the intensification and fostering of agricultural activities through the establishment of community gardens.
This activity was initiated as part of the activities under the LGRRC anchored on the principles of multi-stakeholder participation and convergence, promoting a culture of inter-local cooperation. (SOURCE: LGOO II JEREMY C. GATO)
