Personnel with disabilities and senior citizens (PWD-SC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII participated in a Training on Environmental Sustainability Through Urban Gardening for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens on Tuesday (July 21) at the Tacurong City Urban Demonstration Farm in Barangay San Pablo, Tacurong City. The training was conducted in line with the national celebration of the 48th National Disability Rights Week.
The activity aimed to equip PWDs and senior citizens with practical skills in urban gardening to promote food security, healthy living, and sustainable livelihoods within limited spaces.
Organized and facilitated by the DENR XII Administrative Division through its Human Resource Development Section (HRDS), the program opened with an acknowledgment of participants by Supervising Administrative Officer Ms. Stephanie A. Molina. Welcome remarks were delivered by City Agriculturist Mr. Ivan Gerry G. Arzagon, RAgr., MPA, while inspirational messages were given by DENR XII Administrative Division Chief Ms. Iki M. Ontawar and Mr. Noel Padernal, who represented Tacurong City Mayor Hon. Lina O. Montilla, PhD.
The technical sessions covered key topics on modern and space-efficient gardening techniques, including the Rationale for Urban Gardening by Mr. Ivan Gerry G. Arzagon, RAgr, Hydroponics by Ms. Sunshine Jane C. Javier, RAgr, Microgreens Production by Ms. Romelyn B. Espiritu, RAgr, Grafting of Ornamental Plants by Mr. Dandy A. Teves, RAgr, and Containerized Gardening by Mr. Alniel B. Aguilar, RAgr.
In the afternoon, participants toured the garden facility and engaged in hands-on demonstrations on hydroponics, microgreens production, grafting of ornamental plants, and containerized gardening led by the resource speakers from the Office for the Agricultural Services (OAS) – Tacurong City / Tacurong City FITS.
The training concluded with a closing message delivered by DENR XII OIC-Regional Executive Director Ms. Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, highlighting the department’s commitment to inclusive environmental stewardship and sustainable green urban management. 𝐑𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐆𝐀
