The local government unit (LGU) of Pasig City hailed the Urban Garden of Barangay San Antonio as the most sustainable urban garden in the city and named it the champion in the Sustainable Urban Gardening Contest 2021.
Mayor Vico Sotto personally handed the plaque of recognition and P40,000 cash prize from the LGU to the representatives of the barangay during the awarding ceremony at the Pasig City Hall on Wednesday (July 28).
All the 30 barangays of Pasig City participated in the urban gardening competition of the city government.
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What made San Antonio’s urban garden stand out is its honey farm, mushroom farm, and waste composting which other barangays do not have.
Raymond Lising, chairman of Barangay San Antonio, said that the recognition given by the mayor is a true testament to their barangay's teamwork.
"We are very proud of this recognition and very relieved that all our hard work paid off,” he said.
"Again, the sustainability of this project depends on the official caretakers of the garden, the support of the barangay, and the involvement of the general public," Lising added.
Street sweepers of the barangay are the ones taking care of the urban garden, he said.
According to Lising, the fresh vegetables and fruits harvested from their barangay’s Urban Garden are being sold to the public at very reasonable prices.
"The proceeds of the sales, in turn, become the revolving funds for the operating expenses for the garden," he said. This is what makes their urban garden very sustainable.
"Community involvement is very important since the concept of supply and demand is created within the community," he added.
Having an urban garden provides food security to the community, Lising said.
He added that having an urban garden reduces carbon footprints by reducing carbon emissions during the transportation of food, vegetables, and fruits from other regions or countries.
"It also contributes to the healthy ecosystem of a barangay. Most important for me is that it acts as an avenue for the community to work together and be involved in something very meaningful."