Philippines: Grassroots organization envisions the transformation of Metro Manila into one big community garden

“Right now we are exploring the possibilities of using idle government lands in partnership with public offices and also starting a land-sharing program to systematically match willing private landowners with community gardeners,” Tejano said.

By Patricia Bianca Taculao
Manila Bulletin
May 31, 2021

Excerpt:

To promote the idea of growing food and fostering food security as a community, a local grassroots organization called Urban Green Communes (UGC) envisions the transformation of Metro Manila into one big community garden, with local community gardens in every barangay.

UGC is composed of urban gardeners who propagate, grow, and connect community gardens in Metro Manila. It was established in October 2020, amid the pandemic and food insecurity in cities.

“The vision is grounded on principles of food democracy (to grow and share our food), the right to the city (to take charge of our urban life), integrative public health (to take care of our health as a community), and regenerative agriculture (to bring back life to ecosystems in our cities),” said JC Tejano, one of the founders and members of UGC.

Presently, the organization is composed of more than 20 community gardens. These communities are in subdivisions, barangays, schools, informal settlements, and condominiums with roof deck gardens around Metro Manila.

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