The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (DA-NUPAP), formally forged a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) towards the enhancement of public health through sustainable agriculture.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing was held at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium. The signatories included Undersecretary for High-Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, DA-BPI and DA-NUPAP Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, DOH Medical Center Chief II Dr. Alfonso Victorino Famaran, Jr., DOH Undersecretary for Health Dr. Gloria J. Balboa, and Director III of the Health Promotion Bureau Dr. Dominic Maddumba.A turnover ceremony for a greenhouse equipped with hydroponics technology was conducted, signifying the formal launch of the partnership and its commitment to establishing sustainable food production systems within public health institutions.

To date, fifteen sites across eight regions have been identified as locations for implementation nationwide.

This initiative is in line with DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr.'s agenda for sustainable and resilient agriculture in the country.

Source: National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program's FB post