If Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar would have his way, he wants to see Filipinos transform their rooftops and verandas into vegetable gardens.
“When applicable, let’s transform rooftops and verandas, in addition to vacant lots, into vegetable gardens that could provide our families steady supply of fresh, nutritious, and affordable food,” Dar said.
"Bare rooftops absorb and radiate heat, and making them into gardens will also help cool houses and buildings," he added.
The agriculture chief also enjoined local chief executives in Metro Manila and other urban areas to promote the development of green, eco-friendly buildings and communities by issuing appropriate ordinances.
"Rooftops covered with vegetable gardens (are) now a common sight in many cities around the world. And more private companies and city authorities are starting to invest in green roofs, due to its wide-range benefits both for food security and environment concerns,” he said.
Dar made the pitch Tuesday, March 30, during a meeting with officials of RE-TERRA. RE-TERRA is a youth organization that recently conducted a national competition on innovative, transformative, and futuristic designs when it comes to promoting agriculture in the urban setting.
The group, in partnership with the DA and the Pasig City government, launched the contest in November 2020 and attracted hundreds of young architects and students from 42 schools in the Philippines and three from abroad.