With the imposed community quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture department gains more partners in implementing its Plant, Plant, Plant, Plant program, as it seeks to scale up the production of food through expansion of areas.

Otherwise known as Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) kontra COVID-19, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has also solicited support from the different households across the region, as most are driven to stay in their homes, pursuing to become more productive through backyard gardening.

Fr. Gary D. Igot of St. John Marie Vianney Church of Xavier Heights Subdivision in Cagayan de Oro City, is no stranger in producing food at the comforts of his home. This was further intensified, being one of the recipients of the agency’s distribution of free vegetable seeds.

“Times are tough and I wanted to show and motivate my neighborhood to spend their spare time in worthwhile activities such as gardening, making them more productive during this ongoing health crisis,” Fr. Igot remarked.

“His humble garden is a good model to bare the department’s Plant, Plant, Plant, Plant program. It only shows that anyone can grow their own food, thus ensuring food security at the household level,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga said, who has visited in the priest’s garden.

Since the COVID-19 crisis broke out, the region, as of April 30, has distributed a total of about 483 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds to the local governments through its agriculture offices and walk-in clients through the DA-10’s ALPAS COVID-19 center for distribution.

“In a few days, I will have fresh eggplants and bell pepper to harvest from my garden, of which I can share to my neighbors,” Fr. Igot concluded.#