MANILA, 20 May 2020 – In the second episode of the online discussion series 'Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways' on the topic, 'Growing Your Own Food 101', Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda will feature the importance of growing your own food and urban gardens at home or with the community. 

The second episode will be live streamed this Thursday, May 21, 10:00am, via Facebook Live [www.facebook.com/conglorenlegarda and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl].

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar will be joining the online conversation to discuss the “Plant, Plant, Plant Program” which includes a revitalized urban agriculture and gulayan project. Sec. Dar will also share other initiatives of the DA to support those who wish to start their own backyard and community gardens.

Other guests are Mr. Niccolo Aberasturi and Atty. Paula Aberasturi, founders of Down to Earth PH; Ms. Patis Tesoro, owner of PatisTito Garden Café & Permaculture Farm; Barangay Captain Sheryl Nolasco of Potrero, Malabon City, a model barangay for ecological solid waste management,  and Ms. Carol Malasig, Berlin based journalist and content writer of Almost Diplomatic blog, to also share basic steps to start food gardens, related technologies and techniques, and common challenges faced by the urban gardener.

Deputy Speaker Legarda will discuss the features of House Bill No. 637 or the Food Forest Gardening Act of 2019, which she has authored in the House of Representatives to institutionalize the Philippine Food Forest Gardening Program. Under the bill, food forest gardening may be established in any parcel of land, public parks and spaces, unutilized and idle public land, community or common spaces of land developments, portions of rural farms, urban housing projects, idle parcels of land in schools, colleges and universities, and yards of households.

As an online discussion to promote good health, environmental and climate-friendly, and sustainable practices, Stories for a Better Normal aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities to lead sustainable lives towards a healthier, safer, and much better normal than we used to have.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission (CCC), with support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project-Philippines, and Mother Earth Foundation.