CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — For demonstrating excellence in the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program, 12 public elementary and high schools in Pampanga’s 2nd District received recognition during flag-raising rites at the Capitol on March 23.
Gulayan sa Paaralan is a joint undertaking of the Provincial Government of Pampanga, the Office of Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Department of Education–Schools Division of Pampanga.
Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, and former Congressman Mikey Arroyo led the awarding ceremony, along with members of the sangguniang panlalawigan and DepEd officials.
In her message, the governor said the Gulayan sa Paaralan project goes beyond competition, as it fosters discipline, teamwork, and environmental awareness among learners while promoting nutrition and strengthening food security in schools and communities.
Winners at the municipal elementary level were Dampe Elementary School (Floridablanca), San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School (Guagua), San Francisco Elementary School (Lubao), Pulung Santol Elementary School (Porac), Malusac Elementary School (Sasmuan), and San Basilio Elementary School (Sta. Rita).
At the high school level, the awardees were Floridablanca National Agricultural School, Betis National High School of Guagua, Del Carmen National High School of Lubao, Camias High School of Porac, Malusac National High School of Sasmuan, and Ambrocio S. Simpao Educational and Trade Center for Learning of Sta. Rita.
All the winners received P30,000 each.
An additional P70,000 each was awarded San Francisco Elementary School and Floridablanca National Agricultural School for their recognition as congressional-level winners after a level-evaluation by the regional offices of the departments of education, agriculture, and environment and natural resources, along with the office of Congresswoman Arroyo and DepEd-Pampanga.
San Francsico Elementary School was specially cited for its utilization of vacant lots in school property into garden space; collaborating with stakeholders such as the barangay council, women in the barangay, school PTA; and multiple gardens in a garden with all grade levels participating.
For Floridablanca National Agricultural School, its well-maintained and sustained hydroponics greenhouse with wide variety of crops got the evaluators’ nod.
“We are grateful and we gladly accepted the challenge for the school garden as we are an agricultural school and this is really beneficial for food security to be used also in feeding programs,” said Cora Soriano, vocational school administrator of Floridablanca National Agricultural School.
The provincial government underscored that the success of the participating schools highlights the role of school gardens in strengthening nutrition programs and promoting sustainable practices among students in Pampanga. Pampanga PIO/Photos: Gerald Gloton, Daniel Ombina
