SARA Good-Practice-Gulayan-sa-Barangay

Organic Vegetable Gardening for Food Stability and
Title
Economic Empowerment
Context The Municipality of Sara, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of

Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of
54,637 people from 42 barangays. Sara is 98 kilometres from Iloilo City.
One of the existing problems in this municipality is malnutrition among

children in far-flung barangays of the said town. Although it is
manageable, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sara is also taking this
problem seriously to be resolved on their level thus, they are taking some
initiatives to address this concern by tapping the help of other agencies,
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Government Organizations
(NGOs), and academe, among others.
In 2021, the Municipality of Sara has recorded 3,907 children with normal
nutritional status or 96.26% prevalence while its undernourished is 152
children or 3.74% prevalence. These undernourished children were traced
to be members of the households that belong to Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps). Although, the cash grants that the households are
receiving for their health partly helped address this problem, the LGU is
looking for a sustainable initiative that could sustain the nutritional level of
the families without investing too much funds.
For the town alone, there are 2,605 active 4Ps beneficiaries with 4,284
monitored children.
With the active coordination of the 4Ps staff to the LGU, the initiative of
establishing “Gulayan sa Barangay” was promoted and encouraged by the
National Program Management Office (NPMO), and Family Development
Division (FDD) to supplement the monthly rice subsidy allowance of the
program beneficiaries, was adopted and enhanced by the Municipal
Agriculture Office (MAO) of Sara, Iloilo headed by Ms. Glendy Swerte.
This project is in partnership with the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State
College (NIPC) based in Ajuy, Iloilo headed by Prof. Johnny Cristobal as
both worked together with the Department in organizing this 4Ps Greeners
and Growers Association.
Through the association, the “Gulayan sa Barangay” project was first

lunched at the Ardemil National High School in Brgy. Ardemil of the said
town. Despite the limited face-to-face classes due to the COVID-19
pandemic, Parent Leaders and members had started the project which aims
to keep every member of the household healthy through a healthy meal
straight from the backyard.
The project was then expanded to four more neighboring barangays to
supplement their regular feeding programs even onset of the pandemic.
The fresh, organically produced vegetables were for the family’s

consumption and entrepreneurial purposes. Economically wise, they used
organic fertilizers such as manure, dung, muck, guano, compost, and other
purifying plants and animals and carbon-based pesticide, herbicide, and
insecticides. This project also aims to provide a comprehensive view of
vegetables, from production to consumption.
Practically, the project is maintained by the participation of the officials in

every five barangays in Sara . Participants have their own part in the
process of sustaining the project. Gardening can be a wonderful hobby,
especially in a stressful society where many would work long hours every
day. Gardening can be a nice contrast to such jobs since it involves
physical work and is also helpful to lower stress levels.
Implementation Pre-implementation
January 22, 2022:
Prof. Cristobal of NIPSC-Ajuy coordinated with the Pantawid Municipal

Operations Office in Sara, Iloilo if he can introduce organic gardening to
the beneficiaries. He laid down his proposal wherein they will pilot with
five barangays composed of Latawan, Muyco, Ardemil, Tady, and Del
Castillo. As part of their agreement, Prof. Cristobal conducted a meeting
with Pantawid beneficiaries and at the same time hold a courtesy call with
five Punong Barangays with their council for consultation and dialogue.
He then conducted a series of sessions and technical assistance on how to
engage in organic gardening with all the members of the association.
Photo caption: 4Ps beneficiaries in Brgy. Lantawan cultivate the vacant

lot of their barangay.
The program aims to:

1. Provide fresh and organic farm produce.
2. Improve nutritional awareness and promote healthy eating habits.
3. Help reduce malnutrition in the community.
Implementation
February 1, 2022:
Through the association, the “Gulayan sa Barangay” project was first

lunched at the Ardemil National High School in Brgy. Ardemil of the
said town. Despite the limited face-to-face classes due to COVID-19
pandemic, but Parent Leaders and members had started the project by
cultivating the vacant lands owned by the school.
February 8, 2022:
Barangay Latawan started their 4Ps community gardening through their
Greeners and Growers Association with the technical assistance of
Prof. Cristobal and staff of NIPC.
February 25, 2022:

Barangay Tady also started their community garden.
March 8, 2022:
The association in Barangay Latawan cultivated the land area allocated
for their vegetable garden wherein it was participated by 26 Pantawid
beneficiaries who are excited for their garden. On the same date,
Barangay Muyco and Barangay Del Castillo started their community
garden where 57 and 120 Pantawid beneficiaries participated in each
barangay, respectively.
March 11, 2022:
Barangay Ardemil started planting variety of vegetables in their
community garden. The association has increased its members
composed of 75 Pantawid beneficiaries.
March 12, 2022:

The association in Barangay Tady cultivated their allocated land area
for their vegetable garden participated by 90 Pantawid beneficiaries.
Photo caption: Throughout the process, Prof. Cristobal worked closely

with the municipal staff in providing technical assistance in preparing
the gardening plots in each of the pilot barangays.
Post-implementation
After the training, Pantawid beneficiaries have been spending more time in
their vegetable gardens wherein gardening burns a lot of calories, and it
can lower your blood pressure. Growing your own food can help you
become healthy, it can also relieve stress and can provide products for the
households involved community in general.
Most vegetables are naturally low in fat, calories and important sources of
many nutrients, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C, including
potassium which may help to maintain healthy blood pressure and may
also combat malnutrition.
Apart from health benefits, the associations were able to earn Php 3,000
out from their production this first quarter of the year. Of the said amount,
they bought garden tools as well as the hose for the water system while the
remaining Php 1,000 pesos is their cash-on-hand savings wherein they are
planning to deposit in the bank.
Results/ Through this project, it enhances the empowerment of the Pantawid

Outcome beneficiaries towards the development of their attitude as value-oriented
individuals that made them realize the health benefits and importance of
consuming vegetables. It is an effective way to fill the body with essential
micronutrients. Vegetables are the most available source of micronutrients
for the people wherein it may help to reduce malnutrition.
It was really a productive work having home-grown vegetables in their

backyard. It does not only provide food on the table but also unity among
beneficiaries highlighting the value of working together and strengthening
partnership/networking which is very important in engaging themselves
with partners. Most importantly, it gave extra income to the families and
communities. Their harvest may be sold in neighboring towns during
market days while others will be sold in their small market or “Talipapa”
in the barangay. It is observed that vegetable gardening of the Greeners
and Growers Associations in five pilot barangays in the municipality of
Sara, Iloilo not only provides nourishment and food stability for the
households but also economic empowerment for poor communities.
Aside from the five pioneer barangays in Sara, during the Parent Leaders
meeting last March 29,2022 when the five pilot barangays shared their
activities and experiences with sir Cristobal, the rest of 37 barangays were
also interested to replicate the same initiative and they also want to avail
the technical assistance given to them by sir Cristobal.
So far, the rest of the 37 barangays are interested but they have not yet
started to receive technical assistance from Sir Cristobal but they have
already maintained their own backyard gardening. More barangays are
also taking action in adopting this initiative as they see the advantages of
this project.
Lessons The initiative has taught the communities a lot of lessons from physical
Learned and mental health to economic benefits. They are as follows:
 Pantawid beneficiaries realized the need for a healthy food because

it can help to reduce malnutrition.
 It has developed their sense of responsibility, being eco-friendly
individuals, households, and communities.
 Vegetable gardening is an opportunity to earn profit and save
money through selling its produce.
 The activities had enhanced their interest in community
development through engaging individuals, women, and children
on productive activity such as growing vegetables.
 They have recognized the nutritional and economic value of
growing vegetables for healthy and productive living
Implication for The 4Ps Greeners and Growers Associations has been self-reliant through
Replication the efforts of Prof. Johnny Cristobal, the 4Ps staff, LGU Links, and the
Barangay Officials of the five pilot barangays with the active participation
of all the beneficiaries.
The collaborative partnership among the academe, LGU, and community

members makes the program easily replicable in other barangays
considering the efficiency and sustainability of community-driven
development and enterprise.
References Project Proponent

Prof. Johnny Cristobal – Northern Iloilo Polytechnic College
Implementing Partners
Mr. Glendy Swerte – Municipal Agriculture Officer, Sara, Iloilo

Officials and community members of Barangays Latawan, Muyco,
Ardemil, Tady, and Del Castillo.
Municipal Links
Aries Mae L. Taasan
Iris E. Balidiong
Carlene Shynne B. Dadivas
Municipal Roving Bookkeeper

Danny Rose E. Mendoza
Social Welfare Assistant

Geraldine S. Delfin
Writer
Aries Mae L. Taasan – Municipal Action Team Leader
Editors
Diody P. Fadillan – CSO Focal Person
Montesa G. Caoyonan – Information Officer
Consultant
Belen P. Gebusion – Division Chief

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Organic Vegetable Gardening for Food Stability and

Context The Municipality of Sara, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of

One of the existing problems in this municipality is malnutrition among

Through the association, the “Gulayan sa Barangay” project was first

The fresh, organically produced vegetables were for the family’s

Practically, the project is maintained by the participation of the officials in

January 22, 2022:

Prof. Cristobal of NIPSC-Ajuy coordinated with the Pantawid Municipal

Photo caption: 4Ps beneficiaries in Brgy. Lantawan cultivate the vacant

The program aims to:

Through the association, the “Gulayan sa Barangay” project was first

February 25, 2022:

March 12, 2022:

Photo caption: Throughout the process, Prof. Cristobal worked closely

Results/ Through this project, it enhances the empowerment of the Pantawid

It was really a productive work having home-grown vegetables in their

 Pantawid beneficiaries realized the need for a healthy food because

The collaborative partnership among the academe, LGU, and community

References Project Proponent

Mr. Glendy Swerte – Municipal Agriculture Officer, Sara, Iloilo

Municipal Roving Bookkeeper

Social Welfare Assistant

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