In line with the simultaneous launching of the HAlina’t magtanim ng Prutas At Gulay sa Barangay Project | Kadiwa Ay Yaman | Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement (HAPAG KAY PBBM) on March 1, Ilocos region successfully launched said program at Barangay Casilagan, San Juan, La Union.

The HAPAG KAY PBBM is a collaborative program of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) HAPAG sa Barangay Project and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Green Revolution 2.0: Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement to address food insufficiency and hunger and achieve food accessibility, affordability, and security in the Philippines by having vegetable gardens in the barangay through urban and peri-urban agriculture and community engagement.

To better understand the program, Ms. Maricar F. Bongais, HVCDP focal person discussed the HAPAG and the PBBM program. 

The PBBM o Green Revolution 2.0 o Luntiang Ani ng Mamamayan was launched in October 26, 2022 through the initiative of DA-Bureau of Plant Industry to support fresh food supplies in urban, peri-urban and rural areas and encourage citizens to ensure their own food security and engage in urban agriculture as a potential additional source of income. 

Meanwhile, the HAPAG sa Barangay project aims to strengthen the capacity of barangays towards sustainable agricultural initiatives by enhancing and promoting related activities such as barangay community gardens and encouraging households and communities to produce fresh, healthy, and affordable fruits and vegetables from their backyards. 

Acknowledging the crucial role of barangays in the success of the program, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. who led the nationwide launching stated that this program is yet another step towards strengthening the capacity of barangays to adopt sustainable agriculture initiatives even in the small scale.

Apart from the launching, the pilot beneficiaries received vegetable seeds from DA RFO 1 and a short lecture on vegetable production from an expert of Enviro Scope Synery Inc.Also present at the activity was DILG OIC Assistant Regional Director Paulino Lalata, Jr and staff, Executiive Assistant Atty. Reggienald Ng of the Mayor’s office of San Juan, Ms. Harlene Fernandez OIC-Municipal Agriculturist, and Ms. Sharon Villoria and other OPAG staff.