BAGUIO CITY – The City will celebrate Urban Farmers’ Month in May of each year as decreed in Ordinance No. 35 series of 2018 approved by the City Council last March 5.
Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., author of the measure, said the celebration has to be institutionalized to bring more farmers and interested residents closer to the programs and projects of the agriculture sector.
“Pursuant to Resolution Numbered 075, Series of 2017 [Declaring the Month of May 2017 and every Year thereafter as ‘Urban Farmer’s Month’ in the City of Baguio], there remains many areas utilized for agricultural purposes and Baguio City farmers/agricultural practitioners need to actively take part in the celebration so that they could be benefited from the government’s various programs, projects and activities,” Yangot noted.
Through the activity, the City can fulfill its thrust “to protect life and advance the rights of its citizens to food sufficiency, sovereignty and safety, sustainable livelihood and social equity in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
The celebration is in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 33, Series of 1989 entitled Declaring the Month of May of Every Year “Farmers’ And Fisherfolks’ Month signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino which highlights and gives due recognition to farmers and fisherfolks for their efforts in providing enough food supply to the country and give due recognition for their exemplary contribution in the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
As decreed, the month-long celebration will be participated in by the various urban farmers in the City who helped in boosting the agricultural industry and economy of the city, the 128 barangays, various agencies and instrumentalities whether private or public who are engaged in agricultural practices.
An Urban Farmers’ Month Events Committee will be created to be chaired by the city mayor and co-chaired by the chairperson of the city council committee on market, trade, commerce and agriculture to spearhead the activities.
The approved activities will include lecture series on urban gardening and vermi-composting in various venues; Good Agricultural Practices by the Department of Agriculture-CAR; and the Search for Best Edible Backyard/Home Garden; and a farmers’ summit.
An agri-tourism fair will also be held featuring the following: showcase of agricultural products produced by the different urban garden practitioners in the different barangays in the City; Animal EX – Specialized Exhibition for Livestock Farming, Horse breeding and Veterinary Medicine; Organic – Specialized Exhibition for Organic Products and Technologies; Fish Expo – Specialized Exhibition for Fishing and Fish Farming; Display of recycled/zero waste products; Showcase of Urban Gardening Practices/Concepts; Product Demonstrations, audio-visual presentations and seminars on Apiary (Beekeeping), mushroom production, fermentation, lagundi syrup, production of banana burger patties, Baking of Herbal Breads and others.
By: Aileen P. Refuerzo
