In a bid to combat dengue and foster community engagement, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has designated every Saturday as a city-wide clean-up and garden cultivation day through Executive Order (EO) 89, series of 2024.
Treñas issued his EO 89 last June 24. The initiative aims to tackle dengue across the city’s 180 barangays. Under his directive, barangay officials are tasked to clean their surroundings and encourage their residents to do the same.
“The Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office… shall ensure the cleaning of the surroundings of each barangay, ensure the proper and continued cultivation of public gardens, and also identify, assess, and designate areas suitable for cultivating gardens where no public gardens exist yet,” Treñas’ EO read.
The Greening and Beautification Division of the City Mayor’s Office, the City Agriculture Office, and other departments will assist the barangays in this effort. Treñas plans to hold an annual contest for the best garden, aiming to involve as many barangays as possible.
City Agriculture Office Head Iñigo Garingalao stated that all residents are encouraged to participate in the contest, promoting food security and mental health.
According to data from the City Government, 71 barangays will join the “Jerry P. Treñas Edible Landscaping or JPT Ediscape” urban gardening project.
Additionally, 20 barangays and 200 daycare centers will participate in the second round of container gardening this year.