TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE – Driven towards a more food-sufficient Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 in partnership with the Department of Agriculture VIII joined the launching of the Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas At Gulay, Kadiwa ay Yaman, Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement (HAPAG KAY BMM) on March 1, 2023.

The grand launch is a simultaneous nationwide event that highlights the thrust of the national government to address issues on food insecurity that anchors on the implementation of programs on sustainable agriculture initiatives in barangays.

The showcase barangay for Region 8 is GMA Village, Brgy. 106 Sto. Niño Tacloban City, a housing site built for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

DILG 8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Darwin N. Bibar expressed his support in the implementation of the program to help address the region’s problems of increasing food cost.

He encouraged the barangay to join in the efforts to attain food security.

“An pinaka dako naton nga challenge an pag implementar han programa pagkatapos hini nga launching. Amo gin-aaghat ko kita nga tanan nga magka urusa para matuman ini.”

Assistant Regional Director Elvira C. Torres of DA RFO VIII likewise expressed her eagerness for the program. She cited how HAPAG KAY PBBM could help locals in barangays have sufficient food source while being healthy, and assured the support of the department as part of their mandate.

“We really commit to this program. Basta mag burublig la kita, we will definitely go far.”

DILG Tacloban City Director Engr. Visitacion V. Giva guaranteed their commitment to help in the implementation of the program in the different barangays across Tacloban, while Ruth Ramirez, Coordinator of City Hall Extension Office, on behalf of City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, assured the city’s assistance to barangays to alleviate the residents’ problems on food cost.

Punong Barangay Gregorio D. Malate thanked the implementing agencies for choosing their barangay as the location for the pilot area of the program while the Regional Focal Persons for the HAPAG KAY PBBM briefed participants on the purpose and nature of the campaign.

HAPAG KAY PBBM aims to address hunger and ensure food security by establishing vegetable gardens to diversify food sources and increase the production and supply of fresh fruits and vegetables in the communities.