Gulayan sa Paaralan bears good fruits

DAGUPAN CITY ­­, Philippines — A program that encourages students and teachers to engage in backyard gardening and livestock raising in schools for livelihood, nutrition and environmental preservation and conservation, is bearing good fruits for the past seven years in the Gulayan sa Paaralan Pagsasarili Project.

Dr. Alma Ruby Torio, schools division superintendent here, said the program not only helps provide food which can be used for the feeding program in the schools but also helps in creating a clean environment that is conducive to learning by using organic wastes as fertilizers.

The program is being implemented by the Department of Education together with Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Last week, Carael Elementary School, also in this city, won the top prize of P20,000, breaking the six-year winning streak of Lucao Elementary School, which won the second prize with P17,000.

The rest of the winners and their prizes were second runner-up East Central Elementary School, P15,000; third runner-up North Central Integrated School, P12,000; fourth runner-up Malued Elementary School, P10,000; sixth to eighth place Pantal Elementary School, Leon Francisco Maramba Elementary School, Federico N. Ceralde Elementary School, P8,000 each; tied for ninth place Pogo Lasip Elementary School, Bonuan Boquig Elementary School, T. Ayson Rosario Elementary School, P5,000; and tied for tenth place West Central Elementary School 1, Bolosan Elementary School and Juan L. Siapno Elementary School, P5,000.

Special awards went to Edwin Gorosa of the North Central Elementary School for the best agricultural teacher, Caranglaan Elementary School for best containerized garden, Carael Elementary School for best medicinal garden and best agricultural research, Lucao Elementary School for best vegetable garden and best garden house, East Central Integrated School for best aqua farm, and Pugaro Elementary School for best livestock raising.

Also awarded were the winners of the cook fest that was held last Feb. 4 at the CSI Atrium and which featured the produce from the gardens. They were the Carael Elementary School for the best vegetable dish, Sabangan Elementary School for the best salad and Judge Jose De Venecia Memorial National High School for the best pickles.