Arayat, Pampanga—Clark Development Corporation, in cooperation with other government agencies including the Philippine National Police, will soon cultivate a 1.5-hectare idle lot adjacent to the Arayat National Park and plant vegetables and high-value crops as part of the government programs to ensure food security amid tight supply due to pandemic.
This after the CDC and line agencies including PNP, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture and the provincial government of Pampanga forged a memorandum of agreement on "Kaligkasan Food Security Project" aimed at helping residents in surrounding communities affected by strict quarantine measures.
The project will also support the "Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa" program which aims to ensure food security for families and communities in the province amid the pandemic.
CDC President Noel Manankil said the initiative also aims to promote a clean and healthy environment for all that exemplifies eco-tourism, environmental protection, and food security.
“We are very happy to partner with the Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Province of Pampanga for this undertaking and we really have to work together to make it very successful,” Manankil said.
The area will be converted into a food basket and will be a sustainable source of highlands vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, okra, eggplant, and hot pepper, among others, for various communities in the province.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program under its External Affairs Department, Manankil said CDC will provide financial support for the land preparation, planting, and development of a small water impounding system in the area.
Meanwhile, the provincial government, PENRO, DA will take charge of the land preparation including surveying and mapping; as well as monitoring, maintenance, mobilization and other relevant processes needed for the project. The PNP is in-charge of the security and peace and order in communities near the Kaligkasan project.