Butuan City launches urban agri project

“A cadet will enjoy the noble The Philippine Army also accepted privilege of serving the country, free walk-in applicants provided they have college education, monthly salary the complete documents with them. and allowances, guaranteed job after graduation, and a progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Strict health protocols were Force,” Canada bared. implemented by the Philippine Army, For Caraga with a total of applicants were accommodated by 556 registered examinees, the PMA batch for the four-day schedule from entrance exam was conducted at the Lope Asis Gymnasium in Bayugan City. Around 175 of these were from Butuan Sept. 23 to Sept. 26.’ And all applicants were required to undergo a rapid test. City. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) Butuan City launches urban agri project By Vaness P. Sanchez, together with the LGU-Bayugan, hence,

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis continues to take a toll on the lives of many Filipinos, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga also continues to advocate backyard vegetable gardening to help ease the impact of the pandemic.

Recently, the DA-Caraga has partnered with the City Agriculture Office of Butuan to launch the urban agriculture in Fort Poyohon, one of the urban barangays in the city.

In a message, DA – Caraga Supervising Agriculturist Melody Guimary said that the unavailability of wide vacant lots should not be a hindrance to having your own food production initiative.

“With urban agriculture, we only need a little space, or we can also make use of empty containers to plant on so there is no excuse that one cannot plant,” she said. In addition, Guimary said that since urban areas are usually densely populated hence it has a higher food demand and this is why having one’s own food production initiative is important especially at this time when the people’s movement is limited.

Urban agriculture is one of the initiatives under the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat or ALPAS COVID which is otherwise known as the Plant Plant Plant Program which was launched by the DA in response to the global pandemic. The program aims to provide adequate, accessible, and affordable food for every Filipino family.

On the other hand, Butuan City Agriculture Office OIC Pierre Anthony Joven said it is really important to have one’s own food source to overcome the challenges posed by the global pandemic. 10

Fort Poyohon is one of the urban barangays of Butuan City. It has 1,200 households and a population of 6,000.

Barangay Chairman Archie Palad said that they are thankful for the support of the government and for teaching the people various ways to cope with the pandemic.

DA – Caraga High-Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Marco Antonio Morido said that in support of the program, the DA provided the community with planting materials, pots, fertilizer, as well as technical assistance. (DA Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)