“Noong simula ay marami kaming nagtutulungan sa garden. Ngayon kahit kaunti na ang natira, hindi yun naging dahilan para tumigil kami,” said a passionate Pantawid Pamilya gardener of M. Hizon Elementary School.
When the garden started in 2016 with the help of their City Link, there were 60 members who participated in the initiative. It was launched with the Pantawid Pamilya’s initiative without attending SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Urban Farmer’s training.
Upon establishing their garden, they received help from M. Hizon Elementary School, which gave them permission to use the land within the school’s perimeter with an agreement of harvest sharing. Pantawid Pamilya members sometimes consumed their harvest or sold it and used the money to buy seeds and other gardening tools as part of their initiative. They received seedlings last April through the coordination of City Link – Community Organizers with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Minsan dito na kami kumukuha ng uulamin naming. Kapag may harvest ay naghahati-hati kami, o kaya naman minsan kapag pwede na kukunin na lang namin. Malaki ang tulong nito para sa mga bata dahil natuturuan namin silang kumain ng gulay,” one of the farmers said when asked about the impact of the Gulayan sa Barangay project on their family.
However, as time went by, the number of the members working on the garden dwindled, until only three farmers remained.
“Siguro eto yung realidad talaga para sa aming mga nagtatanim na kakaunti na lang kami. Pero ganoon pa man, kahit bahain, malubog, at masira yung mga tanim namin ay gusto naming itong ginagawa naming kaya babalik at babalik pa rin kami,” one of the members said. Sustaining a garden is not easy. A lot of challenges came from every direction. Through their garden, the members of the Power Puff Garden want to serve as an inspiration. Regardless of the situation they are in, they will continue to be committed to their work.
When asked what is special or extraordinary about their garden, one respondent proudly said it was “effort”. The respondent said that their effort has not only helped in growing their garden, but their knowledge as well. There have also been several instances when they went the extra mile for their garden.”Minsan kahit bumabagyo na nagpipilit pa rin kaming pumasok sa eskuwelahan para tignan yung garden kase yun ang pinaka-kalaban namin dito yung ulan,” one of the members said.
The remaining members are still hoping that the Pantawid members who have abandoned the garden will return and become involved in the Gulayan once more, especially since they are planning develop and improve their garden by applying other methods of gardening. They have also saved seeds that will be planted after they harvest. The farmers are looking forward to a bountiful harvest as they forge on with their steadfast dedication to the garden.
The story of the PowerPuff Garden provides a glimpse on the reality of establishing and maintaining a Gulayan. Sometimes only a few members will stay committed and it will be a challenge for the program implementers to make Pantawid Pamilya members recognize the positive outcome from the initiative and how it will help their family not just in terms of food security, but how it will help them develop themselves individually and as a member of the community.
It is truly a challenge to encourage all Pantawid Pamilya partners to engage in urban gardening. But aside from the nutritious vegetables and fruits, the essence of camaraderie and lessons about responsibility are some of the valuable outcomes that members could harvest from the Gulayan.