CLARK FREEPORT – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has launched the “Sundalo na, Magsasaka pa” program “to engage the soldiers and their families in organic agriculture local consumption and additional income” at the headquarters in Camp Aquino, Tarlac.
Nolcom deputy commander Brig Gen. Milfredo Melegrito said the program “will allow soldiers to have another livelihood source and provide their families with healthy organic foods.”
The first batch of 50 soldiers are to be trained in organic farming with the support of Villar SIPAG Foundation, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), Department of Agriculture (DA), Provincial Government of Tarlac, City Government of Tarlac, and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
“Part of the vision of Nolcom is to turn each household inside its 700-hectare headquarters in Camp Aquino into a model bahay kubo farm, combining food sustainability and organic farming,” Melegrito said.
Among those present during the program launch were Sen. Cynthia Villar, TAU president Max Guillermo, DA OIC-regional executive director Roy Abaya, Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles, and ATI executive director Luz Taposok.
