Iloilo’s MoRProGRes Gardens program honors sustainability innovators

The MoRProGRes (Movement for a Robust Garden, Progressive and Globally Competitive and Resilient Province of Iloilo) Gardens initiative, spearheaded by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., celebrated its inaugural year by recognizing outstanding participants who have excelled in blending ornamental gardening, landscaping, and high-value crop production. The program, which aims to foster agri-tourism destinations, received commendation for its innovative approach to address food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change.

Governor Defensor emphasized the comprehensive benefits of the program, highlighting its role in promoting food security, boosting tourism, and mitigating climate change impacts. By integrating ornamental gardening with agriculture and waste management practices, MoRProGRes Gardens has achieved good results in its first year.

The recognition ceremony honored winners across three categories: Local Government Units (LGUs), academic and technical institutions, and the business sector. From a pool of 252 entries, 32 finalists emerged, with 18 received awards. Prizes ranged from P50,000 for finalists, P150,000 for second placers and PHP 200,000 for first placers, reflecting the program’s commitment to reward excellence.

In the academic category, Tagbac Elementary School (ES) in Oton, Guimbal Central ES (Buy Local in our Organic Garden of GCES) of Guimbal, and Don Benjamin Jalandoni Sr. Memorial ES (Gulayan sa Don Bee) in Zarraga for elementary level; Agdahon Farm School (AFS Garden of Progress) of Passi City for high school; and Leon Ganzon Polytechnic College (Rainbow Ville) in Balasan and La Guerta Verde de ISAT University in Leon for the secondary level.

For the LGU category, the winners are Barangay Nueva Union Community Garden in Passi City, Barangay Agta Communal Garden in Leon, and Barangay Pagaypay Community Garden also in Passi City for barangay level; and Passi City Sweet Garden, Daga Ecological Solid Waste Management Center in Sta. Barbara, and the Lagwerta de Oton of the town of Oton for the municipal level.

Businesses also showcased their commitment to sustainable practices and received awards for their efforts, the Ephratah Garden in Badiangan, Atiz Integrated Farm in Tigbauan, and Gaja Agri Farm from New Lucena for DOT-accredited; and Garilva Junbee Agri Farm and Leisure Resort in Concepcion, Farmer’s Cafe Garden in Leganes, and D&E Bugana Farm of Calinog for non-DOT accredited.

Guv Defensor also expressed his intention to integrate the program into nutrition initiatives, aligning it with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) community garden program.

Municipalities and barangays are also encouraged to utilize the produce from MoRProGRes Gardens to support nutrition programs, particularly in daycare centers, underscoring the importance of community engagement and sustainability from the program’s inception.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Iloilo Provincial Administator Raul Banas, Iloilo Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo, and DILG Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, CESO IV. Notable figures such Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., Atty. Cesar Emmanuel P. Buyco, Jr., and Ms. Aulynn B. Yue Sin also graced the occasion. # (Text by: CFLauresta/DA-RAFIS 6)