Agriculturalist Geneveve Abella urged Cebuanos to engage in urban gardening as a response to food safety concerns linked to child malnutrition. She made the call during the 52nd Nutrition Month Launching with the theme “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!” held by the Cebu City Nutrition Office (CCNO) at Plaza Sugbo on July 1, 2026.
Urban Gardening as a Solution to Malnutrition
According to Abella, a licensed agriculturist from the City Agriculture Department (CAD), urban gardening is crucial in addressing child malnutrition in Cebu. She highlighted that food safety remains a challenge due to the increasing use of chemicals like pesticides in crops, which can affect the nutritional status of the community.
The common types of malnutrition in Cebu City include stunting, wasting, underweight, overweight, and obesity among children aged 0 to 59 months. Abella emphasized that every household should have its own garden to grow food and ensure food safety and security.
What Urban Gardening Entails
Urban gardening involves planting crops, vegetables, and fruits at home by maximizing available space to produce fresh, healthy, safe, and sustainable harvests that are easily accessible. It is not limited to planting but also includes beekeeping and raising farm animals.
“It is the same as farming in the mountains. The only difference is that it is done in an urban setting,” Abella said.
Urban Gardening Contest Launched
With support from Cebu City Councilor Alvin Arcilla’s office, CAD launched the Urban Gardening Contest with the theme “Balik sa Pananom” on June 8. The competition aims to encourage students across Cebu to return to planting and teach them how to grow crops in their schools and communities.
Abella noted that the program can help shift children’s attention to a productive hobby instead of spending all day playing on computers. “The reality now for students is that they are always facing the computer, so they no longer have time for planting,” she said.
Recent Success: San Nicholas Elementary School
Recently, San Nicholas Elementary School received the highest award in the Micro Garden category on Monday, June 29, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The school also received a cash prize of P300,000.
Abella encouraged the public to participate in urban gardening to contribute to building a safer environment while strengthening food security and improving nutrition.
