The Pasig City local government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SEAOIL Foundation to establish a new urban garden as part of the “Tugon sa Gutom” program.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and SEAOIL Foundation President Mark Uy were among the signatories of the MOU.

Other officials who witnessed the signing were City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) Allendri Angeles; Pasig City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Jenily Capalaran, Cris Lomotan and other members of the SNTR HOA; Rechie Tugawin, Mario Galvez Jr. and Jeremy Cajiuat from the City Mayor’s Office; and SEAOIL Foundation Executive Director Ramon Derige, Vikki Bulacso, Jean Amoloza, Luigi Briones, and Lance Pastores.

(Pasig Nutrition Committee / MANILA BULLETIN)

The new urban garden plan will be installed at Ilugin in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, managed by the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Taga-Riverside Homeowners Association (SNTR HOA).

The garden will serve as an additional source of food for underweight children in the barangay.

In line with the “Tugon sa Gutom” program, the project aims to increase local sources of nutritional food to strengthen food security of indigent communities.

Previously, the Pasig Nutrition Committee and SEAOIL conducted training sessions with members of the SNTR-HOA, and the Pasig City Civil Society Organization Desk - Office of the City Mayor (CSO-OCM) to teach beneficiaries on program monitoring and data collection.

The program hopes to engage more communities and local businesses to support family farming initiatives and encourage households to grow and plant their own food.