Cagayan de Oro City, June 2 – More communities are being eyed to implement the Agri 4Ps, otherwise known as the Plant, Plant, Plant Program on the ground, as the agriculture department (DA) continues to hand over assorted vegetable seeds to interested groups.

A total of 236 packets of assorted veggie seeds, comprising of okra, ampalaya and pechay were turned over to the Archdiocese of CdeO City – Health Ministry (ACC-HM) with 100 packets; Mahayahay Tribal Farmer’s Association Council (MATFAC) (50); Commission on Population and Development – Region 10 (POPCOM-10) (36); and the Department of Agrarian Reform – Misamis Oriental (DAR-MisOr) with 50 packets.

“We, at the department, need all the help that we can get to ensure food availability and sustained production, especially amid the COVID-19 threat,” DA-10 executive Collado remarked.

He added that requests for the availment of veggie seeds from such groups would mean more partners in intensifying the Region’s thrust of attaining food security not only in one’s abode, but including in the different communities, as well.

“Growing vegetables is also a productive group activity that fosters camaraderie and cooperation among members at the same time meeting their vegetable requirements,” the agency head stated.

With supplemental feeding, livelihood and education being the components of ACC-HMM, the group headed by Luz Antiza P. Denayo targets to distribute the received veggie seeds to residents in barangays Tumpagon, Pigsag-an, Taglimao and Tignapoloan while MATFAC will be dispensing the said provisions to its farmer-members of Brgy. Mahayahay, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental, as requested by Datu William M. Penaso.

Meanwhile, employees of POPCOM-10 and DAR-MisOr are planning to plant the veggie seeds in vacant areas of their respective offices and homes.

Since the coronavirus contagion, DA-10 has distributed 707.968 kilograms or an equivalent of 19,809 packets of assorted veggie seeds, including the ones mentioned and others such as eggplant, sitao, squash, onions, upo, upland kangkong, bell pepper, lettuce, among others as of June 1.

Receiving the seeds assistance on behalf of the groups is Denayo (ACC-HMM), Marichu T. Balaba of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of MisOr (MATFAC), Roel Calixtro (POPCOM-10), and Betty Jean P. Cal (DAR-MisOr). #