DepEd strengthens GPP implementation
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) strengthens the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program of GPP in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
DepEd secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones issued memorandum to sustain school gardens, not only 63% sustainable garden at present, but also to establish gardens in all schools nationwide.
Sec. Briones enjoined all regional directors, schools division superintendents and school heads to extend full administrative support to the management of the program.
GPP will help address malnutrition, and to promote vegetable production among school children, Briones said.
The GPP was issued and implemented through DepEd Memorandum No. 293, s. 2007 entitled Gulayan sa Paaralan to support the hunger mitigation initiatives of the government, and to encourage both public elementary and secondary schools to establish school gardens. It is also to help ensure continuous supply of vegetables for the School-Based Feeding Program, and other feeding programs.
Also, the GPP will also help promote vegetable production in public elementary and secondary schools; establish and maintain school gardens as ready food basket or source of vegetables in sustaining feeding; serve as laboratory for learners; produce in the schools vegetables which have rich sources of protein, vitamin and minerals, and eventually increase vegetable consumption, and improve learners nutrition.
The GPP will also showcase small-scale food production models; and will inculcate among the learners the values of gardening, good health and nutrition, love of labor, and caring for others. ## (Remelie V. Cedro, DepEd Butuan City Division)
