FAITH - FOOD ALWAYS IN THE HOME

Launching of FAITH Garden Program
by: SIMPLICIA D. ANANAYO

November 24, 2009
OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. Compound
Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya

Sponsored by OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.
November 24, 2009

Facilitators: Mike Serafica & Monico Baustista of Allied Botanical Enterprise

Participants:
Didipio Green Valley Institute (DGVI)
1. Miss Helen Pumihic, Teacher-in-Charge - DGVI
2. Mrs Luz Dulnuan, Teacher - DGVI
3. Romeliza Lunag, Student - DGVI
4. Chrizel Bajita, Student - DGVI
5. Alejandro Esteban, Student - DGVI
6. Julie Dulawan, Student - DGVI
7. Noel Ballogan, Student - DGVI

Didipio Elementary School
8. Mrs Victoria Baguilat, Principal – Didipio Elementary School
9. Mrs Teresita Pumihic, Teacher – DES

OGPI Employees:
10 Lucita M. Exconde, Manager-Sustainability - OGPI
11 Simplicia D. Ananayo, Comrel Supervisor - OGPI
12 Mary A. Bajita, Clinic Staff – OGPI
13 Tenessee D. Baguilat, Sustainability Staff - Forester
14 Estrelita A. Malanta, Sustainability Staff
15 Antonio P. Mangili, Comrel Assistant
16 Simeon L. Ananayo, Comrel Assistant
17 William C. Napadao, Nursery Staff
18 Jaime T. Dulawan, Comrel Assistant
19 Samuel Ballogan, Admin Staff –Utility man

The FAITH Garden program is in line with the Health Program of the company in collaboration with the Department of Health in their annual celebration of the Nutrition Month. As had been assessed, there is a weight on malnutrition of children in Didipio. FAITH which means “Food Always In The Home” aims to introduce vegetable production through backyard gardening and later on moves to a wider scope, commercial production when people are willing, able and ready to participate in this program. The launching program started with the schools and OGPI employees as partners to start the program.

Activities of the seminar includes nutrition talk by OGPI clinic staff Mary Bajita. Proper food intake for the body on fruits and vegetables was discussed. Mike Serafica and Monico Baustista from the Allied Botanical Enterprize who were invited by OGPI conducted the seminar on vegetable production and soil testing. Vegetable production includes correct way of planting, season to plant , fertilization and harvest techniques to prolong lifespan of plants. Common nutritious vegetables for the table and can easily be grown in due time, any where were presented. After the lecture, actual demo on proper seeding and soil testing was done in the OGPI nursery.

The nineteen participants were thankful for this seminar because they learned a lot. Though some of the participants have been planting some vegetables, they accepted that they have been doing the wrong process. Through this seminar, everyone was challenged and inspired to do backyard gardening. Some are even planning to do large scale gardening with the knowledge learned.

Lucita Exconde explained to the participants that OGPI wants to promote this program. In this regard, vegetable seeds were purchased ready for those who have ready areas to be planted. In addition, a vegetable nursery will be established where seedlings will be grown ready for distribution to ready and able planters. The Didipio Green Valley Institute who says they are ready will be the first recipients of vegetable seeds and seedlings.

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