Iloilo city: The local government of Iloilo City is planning to activate communal gardens in the barangays as a proactive measure against potential food supply issues due to rising fuel costs. City Agriculturist I±igo Garingalao highlighted this initiative as a means to ensure a sustainable food source for the community's daily needs.

According to Philippines News Agency, the concept of the communal garden initially began as an edible landscape competition in barangays, which ran for six years. The gardens operate in cycles, typically lasting around eight months, and include a component that supports feeding programs for malnourished children. Additionally, any surplus produce is sold to generate income for the community.

Last year, nearly 90 communal gardens were established, though some were paused this year to allow the soil to recover. Garingalao mentioned that the target for this year is to establish 100 communal gardens, even if not all participate in the competition.

Orientation training for communities where the gardens will be set up was completed last week. Planting is scheduled to begin by the end of May, coinciding with the early rainy season. Besides the communal gardens, there are also peri-urban farms on the outskirts of barangays and a program for clusters of barangays focused on vegetable and rice farming.

Mayor Raisa Tre±as aims to fully utilize the city's nursery complex to ensure a consistent supply for the community kitchen, providing food to barangays in emergencies.