Mandaue folk use old pots, cans to grow vegetables

Some Mandaue City residents have made their houses a haven of vegetables with the use of recycled containers.

Backyard agriculture is being promoted in the city’s 27 barangays, said Sharon Mangadlao, assistant city agriculturist.

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes organized an annual inter-barangay contest for the best in gardening in three categories: backyard gardening, container gardening and the barangay with the most number of gardens.

Prizes are P20,000 for first place, P15,000 for second place and P10,000 for third place.

There are 20 consolation prizes of P2,000 each.

Rogelio Sulad, last year’s winner in the container category, was the champion in the national contest while barangay Paknaan’s Alma Rosell won second in backyard category.

Starting last Monday, judges evaluated various entries. The awarding will be held during the opening program of Nutrition Month in July.

“This is a laudable project because it helps residents engage in food production and stay healthy by promoting vegetable farming,” said Ernie Manatag, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC).

He was instrumental in turning a one-hectare national government lot in in barangay Subangdaku into a vegetable garden.