The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Philippines formally handed over the Bayanihang Pagbibinhi sa Barangay (BANHI) Project to Barangays Tabiguian and Caputatan in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, on March 25, 2025.
Barangay officials, farmers, project staff from ADRA Philippines, and representatives from the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), the project’s partner implementer, attended the separate handover ceremonies in the two barangays. ADRA’s Food Security Officer, Jessa Mae G. Azarcon, called attention to the project’s primary
objective at the ceremony—to assist the community in creating a sustainable source of vegetable planting materials to address local food insufficiency. In addition, the project seeks to reduce malnutrition rates in Caramoan, particularly among children under five years old.
Lovely Joy Alvar, project manager of ADRA’s Project TOGETHER, the mother project of BANHI, expressed gratitude to all who helped make the initiative a success. To further improve the project’s implementation and improve the living standards of its recipients, Ms. Alvar also laid emphasis on the true essence of “BAYANIHAN”—promoting unity and mutual support without expecting rewards to achieve the project’s goal.
Representing CBSUA on behalf of the Extension Services Division Director Dr. Vladimir R. Foronda, ESD-TCEU Head Abigail V. Guinoo delivered the keynote address and urged the officials of Barangay Tabiguian and Caputatan to support the project’s development by enacting a barangay ordinance focusing on urban gardening per household. Ms. Guinoo also ensured CBSUA’s commitment throughout the project implementation. CBSUA is the partner institution of ADRA in capacitating beneficiaries in nursery establishment and seed banking. Hon. Gemma Lorena, Barangay Captain of Tabiguian, and Hon. Emily Velasco, Barangay Captain of Caputatan, extended their heartfelt support to the project and ensured its continued development in the coming years.
The event also showed BANHI’s component projects, which include the establishment of a nursery, an organic vegetable garden, seed banking, and vermicomposting. To support the project’s sustainability, ADRA Philippines provided a complete set of gardening tools.
Following the handover ceremony, participants had the opportunity to tour the BANHI site. Present during the event were barangay LGU officials, representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Caramoan, led by the Agricultural Technologist Rhona Delloro Huit, ADRA’s Field Officer of Caramoan Rosel Grialbo, Tabiguian Elementary School Head Menchie L. Verano, Ma’am Grace Pimentel, and farmer-beneficiaries of the project. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘍. 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘴.
