Ms. Anna Gale Vallez, SEARCA-RTLD Program Specialist, is flanked by (L-R) Randell Redulla, PTA President of San Antonio ES, Dr. Roberto Rañola of the local government of Los Baños, Ms. Soledad Villanueva, and Mr. Armin Cabrales, both of the Department of Education.
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Los Baños and the local government of Los Baños, has officially launched Project GENUINO or the Gulayan Empowerment for Nutritional Uplifting Involving Network Optimization.
This initiative aims to strengthen the institutionalization of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) across 22 elementary and secondary schools in Los Baños town, ensuring its long-term sustainability and effectiveness. The project also seeks to enhance stakeholder and partner engagement to foster greater collaboration and support for school gardening initiatives. Project GENUINO is committed to ensuring the adequate and sustained provision of nutritious meals to selected learners by reinforcing the sustainability of the GPP.
Ms. Soledad Villanueva and Dr. Roberto Rañola deliver their messages at the launching ceremony.
The program commenced with a warm and heartfelt welcome from Ms. Soledad Villanueva, Public Schools District Supervisor of DepEd Los Baños. She emphasized establishing and sustaining school gardens, notably their vital role in promoting food security and enhancing student nutrition. She also highlighted the far-reaching impact of school gardens beyond their immediate benefits to the local community through the potential of school garden initiatives for academic research, innovation, and dissemination of best practices on a broader scale. Ms. Villanueva shared how she generated valuable insights from conducting in-depth studies on school garden projects, which she presented at local and international conferences.
Dr. Marvin Umali, Schoold Head of Bayog Senior High School, presented Project GENUINO's rationale, objectives, significance, and expected outcomes. He emphasized the initiative's critical role in strengthening sustainable agricultural practices within schools, fostering food security, and enhancing students' nutritional well-being.
Ms. Anna Gale Vallez, Ms. Soledad Villanueva, and Ms. Eva Marie Cambe (left-most), Public Schools District Supervisor of Sta. Cruz, served as judges during the monitoring and evaluation of the school garden at the San Antonio Elementary School.
SEARCA's Ms. Anna Gale Vallez stressed that school gardens enhance student learning and promote health and nutrition. She added that beyond the immediate benefits, these gardens serve as catalysts for meaningful collaboration, fostering strong partnerships among the private sector, government agencies, and the community. Ms. Vallez also highlighted the transformative power of collective action in ensuring the sustainability of such initiatives. She encouraged participants to "perceive school gardens as an educational project and a holistic strategy for environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and long-term development."
Dr. Roberto Rañola, Municipal Administrator of Los Baños, concluded the launching ceremony with a message of support, reaffirming the municipal government's full commitment to the project. He likewise thanked the school district for its proactive role in spearheading initiatives that promote food security, environmental sustainability, and improved student nutrition. Dr. Rañola urged everyone to encourage students to pursue agricultural studies, recognizing their potential in shaping a more sustainable and food-secure future.
Ms. Anna Gale Vallez delivers her closing remarks at the Los Baños Central Elementary School.
A part of the launching program is the monitoring and evaluation of 22 elementary and secondary schools across Los Baños. To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the schools were categorized into four groups: small, medium, large, and mega schools. Each group was assigned three sets of judges, who were tasked with evaluating the school gardens based on the variety of vegetables cultivated, overall maintenance, and their contribution to the School-Based Feeding Program.
Ms. Anna Gale Vallez, alongside (R) Hon. Leren Bautista, Councilor and Chair of the Committee on Education and Public Information, and Ms. Soledad Villanueva
The awarding ceremony for the Best Implementer of GPP winners took place the following day, recognizing schools that demonstrated excellence in sustainable gardening practices, maintenance, and contribution to student nutrition. First place was awarded to Los Baños Senior High School; second place was given to Bayog Elementary School; and third place went to Malinta Elementary School.
Hon. Leren Mae Bautista, Councilor and Committee Chair of Education and Public Information of Los Baños, commended the schools for their commitment to promoting food security and environmental stewardship. She further announced that non-winning schools would still receive support from the municipal government. To encourage their continued efforts in maintaining and improving their school gardens, the schools will be provided with garden tools to ensure their gardening initiatives' sustainability and long-term success.