On February 23, 2021, the Quezon City Food Security Task Force (QC FTSF) put up an Aquaponic System inside the vicinity of the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW), with the theme, “Grow QC – Pag-unlad sa Pagkain, Kabuhayan at Kalusugan”. The program aims to promote Urban Agriculture, development of Food Zone system, and eventually help RSW clients to gain knowledge and income while in the time of the pandemic.

For ten (10) days, RSW clients are tasked to maintain and oversee the aquaponic system and the urban garden wherein they are paid in doing so amounting to Php 375.00 a day.

Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically which in turn purifies the water and help sustaining the urban garden.

“Yung pagbebentahan namin sa mga aanihin namin ay malaking tulong narin para kami ay makabili ng mga pangunahin namin kailangan sa pangaraw-araw ”, said by Vencent Maac, RSW client and caretaker of Aquaponic System.

Through the partnership of RSW and the Local Government of Quezon City, a project like Urban Gardening brings more job opportunities, extra income, and temporary employment for our brothers and sisters who have disabilities and considered one of the most vulnerable sectors especially in this trying time.

Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW) is a non-residential business-work-oriented facility of DSWD-NCR which gives temporary employment to persons with disabilities. The differently-abled are being exposed to pieces of training, skills development, and workshops, to prepare them for outside employment and entrepreneurship. RSW is located at JP Burgos Street, Project 4, Quezon City. ###