By Diane Therese C. Esmade, USTP System STRATCOMM
Urban Community Partners after the signing of the MOU.
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), Kids Who Farm (KWF), Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kagayhaan Gold, and the Barangay Local Government (BLGU) of Pagatpat and Tablon in Cagayan de Oro joined hands to collaborate for community-based urban agriculture interventions in enhancing the capacity of urban communities in urban agriculture production.
The Virtual Ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing was successfully held on September 7, 2021, through Zoom meetings.
USTP System President Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II gave the university’s message of support for the project which involves the government, community and industry.
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines System President Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II in his solidarity message stressed the importance of pushing innovation in food productivity through vegetable gardening in urban areas.
“With the increasing demand of food supply especially during this crisis, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines through its Center for Human Development instituted various initiatives to support food resiliency through innovative solutions,” Dr. Cultura added.
This significant partnership further capacitates, encourages, and empowers especially the women and youth sector in urban agriculture production by training the communities on the benefits of vegetable production, processing, agro-enterprise development, and financial literacy.
EnP Angelie Azcuna-Collera of the Center for Human Development of USTP leads the project.
EnP Angelie Azcuna-Collera, Head of the Center for Human Development, also led the Gulayan sa Kabalayan (GSK) or Gardens for Sustainable Kitchen which was a COVID-19 response that seeks to strengthen the food security of Cagayan de Oro through survival vegetable gardening. They have conducted a series of webinars in promoting urban agriculture.
“We envisioned that our partner barangays will be more food secure, resilient and sustainable not only in this time of the pandemic but for the years to come,” EnP Collera said.
Addressing food security, especially in this time of health crisis, is crucial as food is a basic and primal need for everyone’s survival. Through this partnership, it fuels compassionate and resilient individuals that can participate in meaningful solutions in addressing food security and sustainability in the region and in the country.
