KAUSWAGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE (1 Apr 2020) – Through its ongoing “Arms to Farms Program,” the local government unit here through its Municipal Agriculture Office launched the “organic mobile palengke” in response to restrictions on citizen movement under the enhanced community quarantine measures in Lanao del Norte.
The primary goal of the program is to make it easier for families to get nutritious food in light of the ongoing crisis amid local transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
According to municipal agriculturist Adelino Rico, this initiative is a response to a challenge raised by town mayor Rommel Arnado for the LGU to execute to a plan to continuously provide support to affected communities in light of this crisis and, at the same time, strengthen the food sufficiency efforts of the local government.
“The mobile palengke that we launched today is the LGU’s response to the needs of people in this time of public health emergency. We are doing this so that people won’t experience much difficulty in accessing their needs during this difficult time,” said Rico.
More than 2 weeks had passed since the enhanced community quarantine measures were implemented in the locality in Lanao del Norte.
Arnado, who initiated the food security and sustainability vision in the municipality had ordered for the establishment of communal organic farms and backyard gardens several years back. Through a local ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Bayan, each family is required to have their own household vegetable garden. Now the LGU is enjoying the fruits of their labor in time for emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.
Arnado ordered barangay captains to include nutritious vegetable produce in the food distribution organized by the local government. Rice bags have been distributed by the LGU and the barangay officials added farm vegetables since the beginning of the community quarantine.
“Our goal is to provide our people with nutritious alternative in these trying times. Where processed foods are usually provided to families during disasters and calamities, we want to provide a better alternative to keep our people healthy. In the middle of this medical crisis, we need our people to stay stronger and healthier,” said Arnado.
He added that this is the time to encourage people to boost their immune system by eating healthy. Under local quarantine protocols, public transport has been suspended and non-essential businesses have been closed. Quarantine passes were released to families allowing each household to get food and medicine from stores.
The mobile palengke will make nutritious food more accessible. All vegetable and fruits in the mobile market are provided by local organic farms in the municipality managed by the LGU and some private individuals.
