Baguio City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) to converge in the implementation of Gulayan sa Barangay for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the region on August 6, 2019 at the DA-CAR Conference Hall, Baguio City.
The new partnership with DA-CAR aims to strengthen and enhance the implementation of Gulayan sa Barangay of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of DSWD-CAR who started their backyard garden as early as 2017. This initiative will eventually contribute the improvement of the overall health of the Pantawid beneficiaries in the region.
Anchored on DA’s thrust to increase food production and ensure safe food availability and affordability to people, the Gulayan sa Barangay project aims to encourage individuals, families and communities of Pantawid Pamilya to implement community gardening activities that will eventually promote food production at the household and community level and ensure provision of access to fresh, organically produced food.
“This collaboration with DA seeks to ensure the sustenance and quality of vegetable production among our poor communities in the region. It will also strengthen the participation of our communities to take part in the production of nutritious and economically viable vegetables. The success of this project relies on our concerted efforts,” DSWD-CAR OIC Director Leo L. Quintilla said.
As part of the MOA, the DA-CAR will provide technical assistance and training support to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries during Family Development Sessions at the municipal and barangay levels. As the prime implementer of agriculture and fishery program in the region, DA-CAR is tasked for the promotion of agricultural and fisheries development and growth, provides policy framework, public investment, and support services needed for domestic and export-oriented business.
Department of Agriculture-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey said, “We are challenged by the geographic terrain and the distance of the communities, but through this partnership, we hope that we can reach those communities that really need livelihood assistance in terms of agriculture. We also enjoin the involvement of our local government units and other line agencies in this initiative so that we can develop our communities economically and sustainably.”2