Baguio city: The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) has distributed PHP2.8 million worth of supplies to support the 'Gulayan sa Paaralan' (GSP) and 'Gulayan sa Barangay' (GSB) programs, which aim to strengthen food sustainability in schools and communities. Thirty schools benefited from the aid -- 25 in Benguet and five in Baguio City.

According to Philippines News Agency, of the total, PHP2.16 million went to Benguet and PHP700,000 to Baguio City under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program. DA-CAR Director Jennilyn Dawayan expressed hope that beneficiaries will successfully implement the program to ensure food availability. Supplies included peat moss, water sprinklers, garden hoses, seedling trays, transplanters, assorted vegetable seeds, and knapsack sprayers. Additionally, eight schools in coffee-growing municipalities in Benguet received coffee seedlings.

Dawayan stated that the initiative also educates children on contributing to household food production. She emphasized the importance of teaching them that they can grow vegetables for their families, even in small spaces. The GSP, led by the Department of Education, integrates vegetable gardening into schools to instill agricultural values and provide produce for feeding programs.

Meanwhile, the GSB encourages Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program households and communities to engage in communal gardening for access to fresh, organic food. The program was implemented through the DA's High Value Crops Development Program in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-CAR.