• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The city government of Bacolod has allocated P9 million to support the implementation of the Sustainable Program for Resilient and Optimum Urban Transformation (SPROUT).
The funding was formalized through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement held at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday, marking a partnership between the city government and various local federations and associations.
According to Mayor Greg Gasataya, the P9 million investment is intended to aid the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, and community members by providing them with the necessary resources and subsidies to establish urban farms.
The financial assistance, sourced from the city’s 20 percent Development Fund, will be distributed among several accredited organizations, including the Gardenville Homeowners Association, the Senior Citizen Association of Purok San Dionisio Inc., the Central Area Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of Bacolod City, the Bacolod Fisherfolks Federation, the Bacolod City Integrated Small Farmers Federation, BCPSMB/3G-BENRO/CPDO Special Project, and the Federation of Homeowners Association, Inc.
“We hope that this will truly be a great help to you,” Gasataya said.
By providing the capital, the city aims to transform idle lots and underutilized urban spaces into productive agricultural hubs.
The rationale stated that the SPROUT is expected to empower the sectors by enabling the adoption of sustainable farming practices and creating direct marketing channels with local businesses to ensure a stable income for the participating communities.*
