BAGUIO CITY – The Judging Committee recently released the list of winners of the 2017 urban edible home and backyard garden contest of the local government which is part of the government’s program to empower residents to be actively involved in urban gardening.
The urban gardening program was initiated by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., chair of the City Council Committee on Market, Trade, and Agriculture to help in promoting and strengthening the city’s environmental and solid waste management programs.
Yangot pointed out the main objective of the program is the establishment of urban gardens or backyard farms in the city to promote organic food production, particularly among the marginalized sector of the population to achieve a degree of food security and diversity and to empower residents to produce food for themselves.
Based on the results of the judging that was conducted in the established backyard farms, Teresa Penegeo topped the participants followed by Geraldine Ongat-Renegado and Councilor Michael L. Lawana who placed third.
Janet Banag landed in fourth place, Johnny G. Rios placed fifth, Amelia S. Montes was in sixth place, Sammy M. Lang-ay and Cecilia Fangonon were tied in seventh place and Agnes P. Maslian and Irene Guibong were also tied in eighth place.
The criteria for judging of the backyard gardens are layout of the communal garden – 20 percent; technology profile – 30 percent; functionality – 30 percent, other physical features – 10 percent and management and sustainability – 10 percent.
The board of judges is composed of City Agriculturist Alberto M. Tomas, Joan D. Bacbac of the Department of Agriculture–High Value Crops Development Program Regional Focal Person; Balbina A. Ernesto of the DA – farmer-Director, Marvin P. Binay-an of the City Council Committee on Market, Trade and Agriculture, Danilo G. Agliam who is an urban farmer Gold awardee for The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines and Virginia B. Alagon of the City Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
Yangot underscored the project is in consonance with the implementation of the urban gardening or backyard farming program in various barangays in the city to instil awareness on the importance of preserving the remaining environment of the city as well as encouraging them to cooperate in the solid waste management program, particularly in the recycling of waste materials.
He claimed residents will be challenged to show to the public their edible home gardens not only for a chance to win but also to promote urban gardening that adds up to the beauty of the city and bring back its identity as the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized city.
According to him, the project is the initial wave of activities spearheaded by the local government which includes community education to raise the level of creativity of the public on the use of urban space for food production and value of quality food, including technical assistance to ensure the productivity and diversity with appropriate technology.
By Dexter A. See