DAR launches 'Buhay sa Gulay' program in Pampanga
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently launched the "Buhay sa Gulay" program in the province.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones, who personally led launching of the program, said the project is the agency's response to the economic troubles caused the pandemic.
"We first launched this during the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and we were able to provide income to dozens of families from Tondo, Manila," said Castriciones.
Under the program, the secretary said the agency and partner local government unit provide idle lands which beneficiaries can farm for free.
He added that the government also helps in the marketing and transportation of harvested crops to ensure that goods will be sold at the proper price.
In Pampanga, DAR Central Luzon Director Celestina Tam said the agency lend the 2,500 square-meter idle land at the Diosdado Macapagal Regional Government Center for the said program.
She disclosed that land was subdivided to 50 plots and planted with various crops such as pechay, Chinese kangkong, talbos ng kamote, sigarilyas, ampalaya, patola, kalabasa, lettuce, cassava, lemon grass, as well as fruit-bearing trees including guava, papaya and bananas.
"Beneficiaries from the province can sell the harvested crops and divide the sales among themselves and hopefully use them to buy necessities for their families," she said.
Meanwhile, aside from livelihood support, Castriciones said the program also aims to promote farming in urban areas to ensure food security in the community.
"During the ECQ, many were worried that markets and groceries will run of out supply of goods. We lack sense of food security but if we have our own farm when we can harvest food, we will never experience that feeling again," he sai d.