TACLOBAN CITY – The local government of Sogod in Southern Leyte has started converting idle lands to vegetable gardens to boost its food supply amid the global health crisis.
Mayor Imelda Tan said in a statement on Wednesday the self-sustaining food security program encourages people to produce their own vegetables and crops through home-based or communal gardening amid the heightened community quarantine due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The town has initially established communal gardens in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and Hibod-hibod villages.
The local government provides the seeds, organic fertilizers, farming equipment, and other technical assistance to villages with land spaces for vegetable farming.
“No one can tell when this health crisis would end. We must be fortunate since we have our coastal resources and we have lands to cultivate. So, I encourage everyone to plant. We need to move so we can survive,” Tan said.
The local government thanked all landowners who willingly let farmers cultivate their lands for free in this time of crisis.
“We are all in this together, so let’s help one another during this trying time. We cannot do this alone and we need your cooperation,” she said.
Through the Bayanihan grant, the local government will receive PHP12.9 million financial assistance from the national government to boost its response capabilities in fighting Covid-19.
The fund will be solely used for the town’s efforts against the spread of the virus, including the purchase of relief goods, personal protective equipment for front-liners, hospital supplies and equipment, vitamins and medicines, among others.
Sogod town remains free of the highly-contagious Covid-19, the Department of Health said. (PNA)
