Herbert Bautista Plants Malunggay in QC Village

MANILA, Philippines — The malunggay propagation campaign has invaded posh subdivisions in Quezon City, with Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista leading the launch of the Halamanan sa Bakuran project at the Tivoli Royale Subdivision last May 16.

Bautista said the project was launched as a complementary program to the malunggay planting program in urban poor communities in the city and is meant to promote the cultivation of the vegetable, which is also a source of Vitamin A, iron, zinc and other micronutrients.

Officials of BIONet Pilipinas, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) joined hands Bautista during the launch.

Bautista, who piloted the Halamanan sa Bakuran project turned, over 200 malunggay seedlings to partner agencies and urban poor family beneficiaries.

Seven hectares inside the Tivoli Royale Subdivision were allotted for the project, a portion of which has been dubbed as a Malunggay Park.

The Halamanan sa Bakuran project will serve as a learning center and seedling bank for vegetables and other crops.

Dr. Vivencio Mamaril of the BPI gave a lecture on the basics of planting malunggay to attendees.

He also discussed the benefits of malunggay and presented samples of products derived from malunggay.

Staff members of the Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center (BMARC) also distributed samples of pan de sal de malunggay, malunggay polvoron and malunggay tea for attendees.

Many of the participants were enticed to buy the products.

Bautista said he envisions Quezon City to be a global city in the coming years. To achieve this, he says, residents must take care of the environment.

He encouraged subdivision homeowners to help plant vegetables in their backyards, saying the Quezon City Council is working on an incentives-program for those who will participate in the Halamanan sa Bakuran project. (biolife news service)