The Department of Agriculture (DA) cited the provincial and regional winners of the 2023 Best Gulayan sa Barangay (GSB) Search in Central Luzon.
This program is part of the department’s coordination with the provinces and local governments to strengthen people’s ability to produce their own food using food production technology.
“High-value crops like vegetables are part of our basic needs. With this, I would like to encourage our local chief executives from the provinces, cities and municipalities, down to the barangay level, to continuously advocate for this program so that so all vacant lots and vacant areas in the barangay be planted with vegetables,” DA 3 Regional Executive Director Crispulo Bautista Jr. said.
In his message delivered by National High Value Crops Development Program Project Development Officer IV Jose Jeffrey Rodriguez, Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said it is crucial to bring urban gardening and the Gulayan project closer to the citizens to teach them how to plant and produce their own healthy vegetables to eat.
“The objective of this program is to encourage individuals, families, and communities to implement community gardening activities to achieve high production towards food security. It also aims to ensure the supply of fresh and organic products that are rich in nutrients,” Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said.
He also urged the local government to share with DA’s vision to bring and provide affordable and accessible food for all Filipino people.
“We are committed to partnering in serving you in a manner that challenges you to achieve while supporting and strengthening your ability and your capacity to do great things in the agriculture sector,” he said.
Barangay Diome in Maria Aurora, Aurora was adjudged as the Best Gulayan sa Barangay 2023 regional champion, which received P300,000 cash prize that they can use to further improve their Gulayan sa Barangay.
Meanwhile, Barangay Matimbubong in San Ildefonso, Bulacan landed on the second spot; while Barangay San Pedro in Lupao, Nueva Ecija ranked third, and received P150,000 and P61,000 cash prizes, respectively.
Special prizes were also given to participating barangays including Facebook Favorite Gulayan sa Barangay – Barangay Matimbubong, San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Best Crop Museum – Barangay Diome, Maria Aurora, Aurora; Best in Innovations with Recycled Materials– Barangay Diome, Maria Aurora, Aurora; Best Community Pantry – Barangay San Pedro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija; Best in Household Replications – Barangay San Pedro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija; and Best Scrapbook – Barangay Diome, Maria Aurora, Aurora.
Other awards include Best Seed Bank –Barangay Doña Carmen, Anao, Tarlac; Best Storage – Barangay Sto. Rosario, Iba, Zambales; Best Gulayan sa Barangay Advocate – Barangay Doña Carmen, Anao, Tarlac; Best Nursery – Barangay San Pedro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija; Kumikitang Gulayan sa Barangay – Barangay San Pedro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija; and Best Audio-Visual Presentation – Barangay Sacrifice Valley, Hermosa, Bataan.
Also, Barangay Captain Jose M. Belmonte of Barangay Diome was recognized as the Best Kapitan; while Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel S. Bitong was cited as the Best Mayor.
Aside from the GSB winners, 10 outstanding agricultural extension workers who have demonstrated exemplary performance in the 2023 high-value crops program were awarded with trophy and P20,000 cash
prize each.
These include Marry Rose D. Bautista, Provincial Agriculture Office of Nueva Ecija; Christian Allan A. Ventura, Municipal Agriculture Office of San Antonio, Zambales; Norlito M. Paming, Municipal Agriculture Office of Candelaria Zambales; Jacqueline G. Maligsa, Municipal Agriculture Office of Dingalan, Aurora; John Rey F. Funiestas, Municipal Agriculture Office of San Felipe, Zambales; Marilyn C. Bernabe, Municipal Agriculture Office of Dilasag, Aurora; Daisylyn G. Villasfer, Municipal Agriculture Office of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Jarica C. Padilla, Provincial Agriculture Office of Aurora; Judith U. Mateo, Provincial Agriculture Office of Bulacan; and Raymart C. Santiago, Provincial Agriculture Office of Bulacan. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)