Senator Cynthia Villar led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of two roads in Baseco Compound, Tondo, Manila, that will provide more convenience and comfort to its residents.
There was also a launching of vegetable gardening with the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) and clean-up drive and mangrove-planting at Barangay 649 in Baseco.
Around 300 volunteers, including residents, participated in these activities under the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), where the veteran legislator sits as its director.
The seasoned lawmaker, chair of the senate committee on agriculture, has been promoting urban gardening to make wise use of open spaces in subdivisions and barangays.
The lady senator noted that urban gardening is not only farming for the needs of the community because later on, it will also be a source of income for the neighborhood.
“The benefits to the community are numerous. Not only does urban farming provide a green space in the community it also makes use of kitchen wastes as compost and used water to irrigate the soil,” she said.
“Urban agriculture while encouraging healthy eating habits can also help build harmonious relationship among neighbors. This is a shared project that will benefit the whole community,” Villar added.
The legislator also partnered with organizations to conduct free training on urban gardening for the residents.
The lawmaker, also chair of the senate environment committee, has adopted Brgy. 649 in Baseco Compound where she has been planting mangrove trees and conducting clean-up activities on a monthly basis.
Villar SIPAG provided the inputs to the volunteers and other individuals who joined the clean-up and mangrove-planting.
Aside from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of DA, the other partners of Villar SIPAG in these activities are the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Maynilad, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Airforce and the Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran ng Baseco, Manila.