After its successful implementation in Negros Occidental,the Negros First–Army Wellness Farm program of the 303rd Infantry Brigade is being eyed for duplication in other units of the Philippine Army and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) around the country.
Aimed to “win the peace,” the Negros First–Army Wellness Farm situated inside the Camp Major Nelson Gerona of the 303rd IB in
The Institute for Solidarity in Asia, a non-government organization that advocates making good governance a shared responsibility, said in its letter to Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, that “the creation of a wellness farm that benefits local communities affected by the armed conflict is a shining example of what could happen when the tenets of Bayanihan are imbibed to winning the peace”.
Dr. Jesus Estanislao, ISA chairman, said initiatives such as this are imperative to the success of the Philippine Army.
Col. Jon Aying, 303rd IB commander, said the program is designed to ensure food security, generate basic income and sustainability, especially for former New People’s Army rebels and their families.
The farm, situated on a 2.5-hectare lot, produces organic products such as vegetables, livestock and poultry.
Aying said they are expanding the wellness farm program to three of the six districts of Negros Occidental with the support of the provincial government led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Moreover, Estanislao called on Iriberri to explore the sharing of what he described as “best practices” to other Infantry brigade units, or even to the AFP Unified Commands.
“Please let your troops, especially the brigade of Col. Aying, know that we applaud their efforts in nation building,” Estanislao said in his letter to Iriberri.
For his part, Aying said organic farming is one of their non-traditional innovations in addressing the insurgency problem in Negros Occidental.
The program recognizes economic capacity-building of the beneficiaries to become self-reliant and less vulnerable, with a projection towards their permanent settlement and production areas assured of protection from lawlessness and natural disasters.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=654309
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