Even before the community pantries became popular, the municipal government of Angono, Rizal has been distributing free vegetable seeds to residents in line with its “Community PanTanim Project”.
Through the urban gardening project of the Angono Municipal Urban Agriculture (MUA), some residents have been given free vegetable seeds which they have propagated in their own backyard gardens or community eco-gardens in their villages.
Dr. Joel Tuplano, head of the MUA and also the town’s head veterinarian, told the Manila Bulletin that the municipal government has been giving away free seeds of the so-called “pinakbet veggies” or the vegetables used to cook Filipino dish “pinakbet” such as okra (lady fingers), sitaw (string beans), squash, and ampalaya (bitter gourd).
Residents get their free vegetable seeds at the municipal government’s vegetable garden located at the open space of Medalva Phase 2 Subdivision.
The program aims to encourage residents to grow vegetables in their gardens at home.
The office of Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon said similar community gardens are also being maintained by the village personnel in their own eco-gardens, including the May Puso Eco Park and Garden in Barangay San Isidro.
Aside from the “pinakbet” vegetables, seeds of pechay and mustasa can also be acquired for free at Medalva garden.