CALOOCAN CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) today launched four livelihood projects for soldiers and dependents living in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The projects aim to ensure the availability and easy accessibility of fresh vegetables, chicken eggs, rabbit meat and fresh fish inside the AFP’s General Headquarters (GHQ).
The AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio C. Collado Jr., together with DA Secretary William D. Dar, led the launching ceremony at Daza Park, of the camp. They were joined by Major General Edgardo Y. De Leon, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, and Brigadier General Rodolfo B Lavadia Jr., Commander of the AFP GHQ and Headquarters Service Command in charge of supervising the event.
"With aid from the Department of Agriculture, it is highly an opportune time for the initiation of the livelihood projects inside Camp Aguinaldo. These do not only seek to be a temporary point of supply during this time of crisis but also as a sustainable source of essential goods for the residents. Rest assured that the AFP shall maintain these project areas and ensure their sustainability in the coming years,” Vice Admiral Collado said.
The partnership between the AFP and DA was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement. The Urban Agriculture Program dubbed as ALPAS (Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra sa COVID19) is set to be replicated in other military camps after its pilot implementation in Camp Aguinaldo. This seeks to ensure the availability and sustainability of food, and provide an alternative livelihood during the enhanced community quarantine.
During the launching activity, a ceremonial handover of seeds, seedlings, and garden tools from the agriculture department was conducted. Ceremonial activities were also held for the planting of seedlings at the vegetable garden; feeding of rabbits at the raising area; feeding of pullets at the egg-layers area; and tossing of fingerlings at the fish pond area.
Officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP GHQ & HSC and guests from the DA participated in the activities. They were required to follow measures being taken to control the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing of face masks and personal protective equipment and maintaining social/physical distancing were practiced during the event. A medical officer and standby ambulance was also deployed in the area in case of health emergencies. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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