#UPAP | Vertical Garden Project Boosts Urban Farming in General Santos City
In a significant move to enhance urban agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12 officially handed over a vertical garden unit valued at PhP 495,000 to the farmers of Barangay Sinawal, General Santos City.
The turnover ceremony was led by DA 12 Regional Executive Director Roberto T. Perales, alongside key officials and personnel from the agency.
The project, funded under DA 12’s Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (UPAP), aims to strengthen support for urban gardening in the community, helping backyard farmers improve food accessibility and availability.
The vertical garden initiative is expected to serve as an alternative livelihood option, enabling mass production and promoting food safety practices in urban and peri-urban farming environments.
The event was attended by representatives from partner agencies, including the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center (RTC) 12, led by OIC-Center Director Shirley L. Beldia, and several local government officials from General Santos City.
The farmers of Barangay Sinawal expressed their gratitude for the support, noting that the vertical garden will significantly impact their ability to produce fresh, healthy food for their families and communities. The project is expected to be a model for other urban and peri-urban farming initiatives in the region.