MANILA, 29 June 2021 — Urban gardeners will gather virtually to share their experience of setting up and maintaining their home and community food gardens and to encourage households and communities to start their own edible gardens on the 51st episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “May Pagkain sa Bakuran.”

The episode, conceptualized and hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 1 July 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Joining the online conversation are guests including Diding Libao, leader of Inang Maria’s Garden of Payatas; Christine Joy Tomate and Jeanny Flojimon of Food Today Food Tomorrow Payatas; Atty. JC Tejano of Greenfields Green Commune; and Nicole Obligacion,  urban gardener of Anyone Can Garden Facebook blog.

The current pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of food supply chains to shocks, that threaten the food and nutritional security of Filipinos. Homes, backyards, and empty lots, including those in depressed areas, were transformed into communal food gardens, helping Filipinos survive the pandemic. Container gardening  is also observed to rise as a source of food and recreational activity following the quarantine restrictions implemented across the country.

The upcoming episode will encourage the viewers to grow food at home and in communities – as one way to secure and ensure a steady supply of safe and nutritious food in these challenging times.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.