The Cebu City Agriculture Department is calling on communities to adopt urban gardening as a strategy to combat child malnutrition and improve food safety, citing concerns over the increasing use of chemicals like pesticides on crops.
Urban Gardening as a Solution to Malnutrition
Geneveve Abella, a licensed agriculturist from the City Agriculture Department, emphasized the importance of urban gardening during the 52nd Nutrition Month Launching on July 1, 2026, at Plaza Sugbo. The event, organized by the Cebu City Nutrition Office, carried the theme “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!” (Nutrition and Nature, Let Us Protect!).
Abella noted that food safety remains a major challenge due to the widespread use of pesticides, which can negatively affect the nutritional status of the community. Common forms of malnutrition among children aged 0 to 59 months in Cebu City include stunting, wasting, underweight, overweight, and obesity.
Household Gardens for Food Security
Abella urged every household to establish a garden to grow their own crops, ensuring food safety and security. Urban gardening involves growing plants, vegetables, and fruits at home by maximizing available spaces to produce fresh, healthy, and sustainable crops. It also includes beekeeping and raising farm animals.
“It is the same as farming in the mountains. It’s just done in the urban setting,” Abella said.
Balik sa Pananom Contest Encourages Youth
With support from Cebu City Councilor Alvin Arcilla, the City Agriculture Department launched the Urban Gardening Contest, themed “Balik sa Pananom” (Back to Planting), on June 8. The contest aims to encourage students across Cebu to return to gardening and learn how to grow crops in their schools and communities.
Abella explained that the program helps children shift their focus to a productive hobby instead of spending excessive time on computer games. “The reality for students nowadays is that they are constantly on their computers, leaving no time for gardening,” she said.
On June 29, San Nicholas Elementary School received the top award in the Micro Garden category, along with a cash prize of P300,000. Abella encouraged the public to participate in urban gardening to build a safer environment while contributing to improved food security and better nutrition.
