CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure food security amid the ongoing pandemic, the agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-RFO 10) has intensified its Plant, Plant, Plant program or “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa Covid-19″, expanding its partnership to a secondary school.

On September 3, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga of DA-RFO 10 turned over 450 packs of vegetable seeds worth P58,000 to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security X (CORDS) Martin M. Andanar.

Said agri input is intended for the students of the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS), during the Northern Mindanao Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC X) meeting, this city.

The assistance is in support of the 9,000 students for the school’s Brigada Eskwela.

Sec. Andanar noted, helping the students to plant ensures food security.

He underscored the Plant, Plant, Plant Program of DA thru Sec. William D. Dar, as one of the projects that must be always promoted.

“We must inform our public that the administration of Pres. Duterte walks the talk, including the regional offices, the AFP, that we do our share.”

Director Collado remarked, “We would like to encourage the students to plant. We should learn to grow our own food, especially with the ongoing pandemic.”

He further shared, each pack of vegetable seeds contains ampalaya, eggplant, squash, okra and sitao which can be planted in a 1,000 square meter area.

Aside from the agri input, Dir. Collado reported that DA has provided assistance to the Philippine Army in assisting their implementation on civil military operations.

Such intervention include machineries, rice, corn, and vegetable seeds for their operations and coordination in conflict-affected areas.#(ATCabig)