A big boost not only for Lagunenses bearing the brunt of high costs of goods due to the oil crisis, but also from farmers facing low farmgate prices.
That was how the provincial government of Laguna characterized the "Laguna Pantry" that was launched last Monday, April 13.
The program provides free fresh vegetables to communities while purchasing directly from local farmers to bolster food security.
Under the "Laguna Pantry" program, the provincial government buys produce for distribution across four provincial districts, aiding both residents and growers amid the current crisis.
Laguna Governor Sol Aragones added that the program will initially prioritize purchasing vegetables from farmers in Nagcarlan, in coordination with Mayor Elmor Vita.
“These vegetables will be purchased from farmers and vegetable growers in Laguna. This is why we spoke with them earlier, so that they can at least have some additional income,” Aragones stated in her official Facebook video.
As the implementation expands, the province will source produce directly from farmers in each district to ensure wider support for local agriculture while sustaining a continuous supply for beneficiaries.
The rollout follows a phased implementation and scheduled distribution system to ensure orderly and fair access for the public.
Officials expect to expand the program to other districts in the coming days, depending on available resources and the harvest supply from local farmers.