The Paranaque City government launched an edible landscaping program called “Mag Edible Landscaping Tayo” to promote better nutrition and appreciation of organic farming.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez who initiated the project Food Always in the Home (FAITH) and Dr. Glen B. Gergosio, director of South East Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) led the launch at the city nursery garden in Barangay San Isidro.

Olivarez said Gregorio shared SEARCA’s efforts on edible landscaping and urban gardening in the country during the past decades.

SEARCA was able to implement the School plus Home Gardens Project (S+HGP) in more than five schools in the province of Laguna.

Gregorio also highlighted that SEARCA has also put up an edible landscape at the SM North Sky Garden in Quezon City, which is made of rows of fresh vegetables strategically planted on the perimeter of the headquarters.

He said the concept of gastronomy has evolved into food and agriculture linked with culture.

Gregorio said sustainable, creative, and well-thought-of edible landscaping not just adds beauty to the environment but also promotes food safety and increases the awareness of the community toward healthy living.

Olivarez said some of the activities of the FAITH Program include the distribution of various vegetables seeds, fruit-bearing trees, and ornamental plants.

He said the City Agricultural, Fisheries, and Aquatic Services Office (CAFASO), which houses the program, also provides livelihood training for Parañaquenos on fish and vegetable food processing.

Last month, University of the Philippines-Los Banos, SEARCA’s host institution since its inception in 1996, donated around 500 edible landscaping kits to Parañaque to promote food security amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.