CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA – RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado continues to intensify its effort to promote food production and security amidst the COVID-19 pandemic through the Urban Agriculture Program.

DA-10’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person Kersten S. Pagalan and Senior Agriculturist Wilson V. Lagdamin, handed over 20 packets of assorted vegetable seeds to CPT Jonell R Vecino (MI), PA of the 1005th Community Defense Center Reserve Command Philippine Army (PA).

With the provisions, CPT Vecino lauded the agency in advocating food security amidst the global pandemic and allowing them to be one with the government’s implementation thru DA of its Plant, Plant, Plant Program dubbed as the “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19 (ALPAS COVID-19) program.

“Ito po ay itatanim po namin at ng aming army reservists sa loob ng kampo bilang parte na rin ng aming programa para sa komunidad na aming nasasakupan. Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa ibinigay ng DA,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nylvyn T. Tagunao of the Don Victoriano Chiongbian Municipal Agriculture Office received 20 packets of assorted vegetable seeds and 5 boxes of liquid fertilizer.

Tagunao remarked, that the farmers in their locality are grateful for the continued efforts of the department in extending service or assistance to them despite the pandemic.

Eyed for the establishment of veggie production in the different urban communities, the 36 gram-, 5-in-1 pinakbet packet, in particular, consisting of eggplant, okra, ampalaya, pole sitao, and squash can be planted in a 1,000-square meter area.

Since 2020, the agency has launched its revitalized urban agriculture and gulayan project under the ALPAS COVID-10 program to escalate the country’s food adequacy levels amidst the ongoing novel coronavirus health crisis. # (JCAnito)