Report of the Food Share Program in Lian, Batangas
The vegetable garden of Barangay Luyuhan in Lian, Batangas
The Food Share Program Orientation was conducted last December 11, 2023, thru the initiative of DSWD RO IV-A represented by Ms. Carol P. Martinez (Nutritionist Dietician) and Ms. Liezel O. Villanueva (PDO1) kasama with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Brgy. Council of Brgy. Luyahan, Lian, Batangas. There are thirty (30) identified target beneficiaries. All of the beneficiaries have an identified undernourished child based on the Barangay Nutrition Scholar data. All of the beneficiaries have also expressed their willingness to come up and maintain a vegetable garden. By the help of Punong Barangay, a resident named Romelo Veroya from the same Barangay allowed the beneficiaries to utilize his land for the implementation of the FSP. Based on the guidelines of the FSP the program will be implemented for six (6) months. Within six (6) months, the beneficiaries will be given fifteen (15) kilos of rice for each of the three (3) tranches. Every tranche is composed of two (2) months. Rice assistance will be provided in exchange of coming up a vegetable garden which will be maintained by the beneficiaries of the FSP.
The preparation of the vegetable garden started on January 15, 2024. The vegetable seeds were provided by Municipal Agriculture Office thru Ms. Ofelia V. Rodil (Municipal Agriculturist). The seeds distributed were okra, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, kibal (legume), sitaw, cassava, squash and cucumber. A private individual named Rafael Hernandez donated Organic Fertilizer. Last January 26, 2024, 11:00 am the formal LAUNCHING and ORIENTATION of Food Share Program was conducted. This was participated by Special Guests from the Municipality of Lian, DSWD FO, MSWDO, Land Owner, Barangay. Officials and our Sponsors. On the same day, 15kls of rice for every beneficiary were also distributed. This served as the first tranche. The second tranche of rice distribution was conducted last March 21, 2024. The third or last tranche was conducted on May 28, 2024 and Food Share focal person conduct visitation in the area and in the distribution of rice to the beneficiaries. The difficulties encountered in the implementation of the project is the supply of water, the action taken of the Barangay Officials they provide water storage and water hose and also the beneficiaries helped each other, they provide schedule who will be assign in fetching water another difficulty is having a pest in their plant. With the FSP Coordinator together with the Municipal Food Share focal they approached the department of Municipal Agriculturist regarding in the situation, and they provide organic insecticide to kill the insect pest that affect in their plants. Aside from difficulties, forming an association and unity as a family in their community considered as good practices. They had a good company that’s why they formed a group called “Veggiehan sa gulayan ng Brgy. Luyahan”, and sometimes they celebrate the important occasions in the garden in terms of sharing of foods and showing bonding moments of the beneficiaries.
The Food Share Program (FSP) have provided opportunities to the beneficiaries in ensuring the provision of food to address the need of the family especially the undernourished child. This also showed the importance and the benefits of having a vegetable garden in the community. The vegetable garden also served as an alternative source of income to the beneficiaries. They decided to continue this program for the development of the community and serve as additional resources for the needs of the community.