KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA) -– The local government unit (LGU) here, through its Municipal Agriculture Office, launched the “organic mobile palengke” under its Arms to Farms Program in response to restrictions on citizen movement under the enhanced community quarantine measures in Lanao del Norte,
The program aims 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.
“The mobile palengke is the LGU’s response to the needs of the 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 Municipal Agriculturist Adelino Rico.
Town mayor Rommel Arnado has earlier challenged the LGU officials and employees to execute a plan to continuously provide support to affected communities in light of health crisis and, at the same time, strengthen the food sufficiency efforts of the local government.
Several years back, Arnado ordered the establishment of communal organic farms and backyard gardens. Through a local ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Bayan, each family is required to have their own household vegetable garden.
Now, the vegetables and fruits in the mobile market are provided by local organic farms in the municipality managed by the LGU and some private individuals.
Meanwhile, Arnado instructed barangay captains to include nutritious vegetable produce in the food distribution organized by the local government.
“Our goal is to provide our people with a 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, said Arnado.
He further said that this is the time to encourage people to eat healthy to boost their immune system.
“In the middle of this medical crisis, we need our people to stay stronger and healthier,” he added. (LGU Kauswagan/PIA ICIC)
