CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — City government of San Fernando initiated a cassava growing project for food security and livelihood opportunities.
Mayor Edwin Santiago shared that the city lent at least a hectare of land to serve as plantation area for beneficiaries in Barangay Alasas.
“I believe that planting is a sacred act, especially in this time of pandemic. Planting really equates to positive outcomes. It provides food for our daily meals, it lets you share to others, and it could even give you profit. This is what our city government aims to do,” he said.
The project is also part of the city government’s initiatives to provide food and livelihood for Fernandinos through urban gardening and farming programs.
For her part, City Agriculturist Cristina Sangumay mentioned that the city government organized a food processing training to guide the recipients in building their own enterprises.
“Before we started the cassava planting, we first spearheaded a food processing training, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. The training circled on instructions on how to make different food products using cassava,” she explained.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program household recipients, out-of-school youth, solo parents, and other chosen individuals are the beneficiaries of the project.
Meanwhile, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aileen Villanueva disclosed that the city government will distribute cash assistance to support the recipients’ cassava businesses.
“After this program, we will go back to our beneficiaries to help them create their own business proposals, and give them the capital assistance they need. This is because we want their businesses to be sustainable,” she added.
The city government also constructed a vegetable nursery in barangay Lara where yields are shared with Fernandinos. –Jag Lyra Costamero