'SUGBUsog sa Eskuylahan' program launched in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Province of Cebu with the Department of Agriculture (DA-7), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) and the Department of Education (DepEd-7) inked a tripartite agreement and launched on April 8 the SUGBUsog sa Eskuylahan program in Cebu to enhance food production especially during this health pandemic.

DA-7 regional executive director, in his message during the launching ceremony at the Capitol Social Hall said that DA’s support to the program is through the provision of inputs such as vegetable seeds, and organic fertilizers, among others.

“Among the vegetable seeds to be distributed in the public elementary and high schools include okra, cucumber, eggplant, and squash,” he bared.

Deputado added that the department also provides basic production technology trainings and other logistic support to the program, while DOST-7 provides training on product value-adding and other by-products processing while DepEd-7 is tasked to monitor the program implementation in schools.

 

Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia meanwhile said that the 'SUGBUsog, Estudyanteng Busog, Luwas ug Himsog,' program aims to make the province food-sufficient and independent from other province's food supply.

Garcia plans to make a contest of the most productive and beautiful garden in all the participating schools in the province to encourage them to actively participate in the program.

Garcia also revealed that the province plans to establish a hybrid coco nursery facility at the Cebu Technological University in Barili with more than 90 hectares of idle land based on an initial meeting with DA-7 director Diputado, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA-7) regional manager Brendan Trasmonte, Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena and the top officials of CTU-Barili Campus.

Garcia wants to establish a coco nursery in the province to optimize coco production and ensure livelihood and productivity of coco farmers in the province.

The program launching event was also attended by DepEd7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez, Vice Governor Jun Davide, DepEd7 District Supervisors, and the Provincial Board members. (Photos: DA-7/Cebu Province)