VOXPOP

Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte

Quezon City

Food Share Rice and Goods Program with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and GrowQC-Kadiwa Partnership

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development− NCR, Kabisig, and Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Philippines, the QC Food Security Task Force and QC Social Services Development Department conducted the Food Share Program for three chosen barangays in Quezon City.

Through the program, rice subsidies were provided by Kabisig and various goods were turned over to the chosen barangay with urban farmers to encourage backyard home gardening and community urban farming in support of food security. The program aimed to provide food assistance to the most in need and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quezon City promotes empowered communities to help fellow QCitizens during the pandemic. It encouraged communities practicing urban agriculture to share their harvest; and in turn, receive rice subsidies.

What are your ways of ensuring a quality, healthy, safe, and sustainable rice-based food system in your communities amidst COVID-19?

COMPILED BY: CHARISMA LOVE B. GADO-GONZALES

QC LGU top officials led the turnover of rice subsidies and various goods to the urban farmers from Barangays Payatas, Bagong Silangan, and Botocan.

Furthermore, through the GrowQCKadiwa ni Ani at Kita partnership with DA, we were able to bring locally produced rice from farmer cooperatives in the provinces to QC residents at the height of the lockdown. By doing so, QC residents were able to purchase local quality rice at affordable prices. ·

Mayor Richard Gomez

Ormoc City, Leyte

Capacitating farmers Ormoc City recognizes the need for highquality and safe rice production. This is due to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic hampered rice production, affecting the supplies, farmers, and general public. In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and accredited farm schools like Tenpuesto Farms, farmers and farm workers were trained for 14 days on the production of high-quality inbred rice seeds, seed certification, and farm mechanization.

Empowered by TESDA, accredited farm schools in Ormoc were established in different barangays to reach more farmers. This improved farm practices and enhanced efficient farm operations. With this initiative, rice and rice-based food systems in the Ormocanon community is ensured and sustained despite restrictions and difficulties brought about by the pandemic. Reports have attested to the sustainability and effectiveness of Ormoc’s efforts and on the safe and high-quality rice we produce. ·