Iloilo City gets P1M as Galing Pook Walang Gutom Awards finalist

Iloilo City will receive P1-million cash prize being one of the 17 finalists in the “Walang Gutom Awards” of the Galing Pook and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The city’s entry “RISE-A-FARM” was shortlisted after surpassing the rigorous screening process out of more than 100 local government units in the country.

With this, Iloilo City joined 16 other LGUs in the country that were honored in Malacañang for having such exemplary anti-hunger initiatives.

No less than Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the awarding ceremony, June 26.

“I am very happy that the program ‘RISE-A-FARM’, our entry in the Walang Gutom Award of Galing Pook and DSWD, was one of the 17 finalists all over the country.

Our departments in the city: CHO, City Agri, CSWDO, Office of the Mayor and others do everything to ensure we serve our constituents the best way we can,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

The city mayor was represented by the city’s team, composed of Executive Asst. Raisa Treñas, City Agriculturist Inigo Garingalao, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Teresa Gelogo, City Health Officer Dr. Annabelle Tang, MICE Director Lea Lara, PIO Lucy Sinay, and Project Devt. Officer Cris Brian Calsado in receiving the citation for the city.

“We make sure that in Iloilo City, malnutrition will be low to prevent stunting of our children. Our collaboration with DOST, Florete Group and Bombo Radyo Foundation will further enhance our efforts for our people. We will continue with all these for our beloved Ilonggos,” the city mayor added.

Rise-A-Farm, which stands for Resilient, Integrated, and Sustainable Environment for Agriculture Farming, is Iloilo City’s best practice on sustainability and food security focused on agricultural development to fight hunger in the city.

Started in 2020, one of the components of the Rise-A-Farm program is the establishment of JPT Ediscapes. From an initial of 12 city barangays, there are now 71 barangays maintaining communal gardens as of this year, which provide sustainable, affordable and accessible food source to the people in the communities.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the city government’s Uswag Community Kitchens under the supervision of Raisa Treñas were mobilized, the barangays’ community gardens made significant contributions by sending some of their harvests to be cooked and fed to the affected residents and frontliners.

Likewise, the Uswag Rolling Store Project is also part of the initiative that aims to bring local farms produce closer to consumers.
Another important component of the Rise-A-Farm program is the provision of technical assistance and trainings at the 4, 000 square meter lot of Uswag Nursery in Barangay Tacas, Jaro. (Iloilo City PIO)