Barangay San Antonio (BSA) was adjudged the winner of the Sustainable Urban Gardening Contest 2021 for having the most sustainable urban garden among the 30 barangays in Pasig City.
Mayor Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto awarded the certificate of recognition and plaque to BSA during the awarding ceremony at the Pasig City Hall last July 28. The BSA also received a cash prize of P40,000 from the city government.
BSA Chairman Raymond Lising said the recognition given by the mayor is a testament to their barangay’s teamwork. “We are very proud of this recognition and very relieved that all our hard work paid off.”
Aside from producing fruits and vegetables, the BSA Urban Garden also has a honey farm, mushroom farm, and waste composting, which allows it to go organic. These things, according to Lising, made their garden stand out.
“Again the sustainability of this project depended on the official caretakers of the garden, the support of the barangay, and the involvement of the general public.”
Lising revealed that barangay officials encountered difficulties in their search for an ideal place for the urban garden and in making it attractive and efficient. Barangay officials also had to craft the right strategy to secure the participation of residents.
He said most of the vegetables and fruits in BSA’s urban garden are organic. It is being supervised by Pasig City Street Sweepers who are residents of the barangay.
Produce from BSA’s urban garden, Lising said, are sold to the public “at very reasonable prices.”
“The proceeds of the sales, in turn, become the revolving fund for the operating expenses of the urban garden.”
Aside from boosting food supply in the community, Lising said the urban garden also allows the barangay to reduce its carbon footprints by reducing carbon emissions during the transportation of food, vegetables, and fruits from other regions or countries.
“It also contributes to the healthy ecosystem of a barangay. Most important for me is that it acts as an avenue for the community to work together and be involved in something very meaningful.”
Lising has urged his kabarangays to come up with such environmental projects that will benefit their community.
“I highly encourage environmental projects like this. It brings communities together and unites them which is very relevant amid the pandemic,” he said.
“[They may] collaborate with the barangay to make it happen. We are very open on projects that will positively impact our environment, and our community.”