CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Provincial Government of Pampanga held the School Garden Competition Awarding Ceremony today at the Capitol Grounds, recognizing public elementary and secondary schools that demonstrated excellence in implementing the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program.
The activity was conducted in partnership with the Office of former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Department of Education – Schools Division of Pampanga.
Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, and former Congressman Mikey Arroyo led the awarding ceremony, joined by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and DepEd officials.
Governor Pineda said the Gulayan sa Paaralan project goes beyond competition, as it fosters discipline, teamwork, and environmental awareness among learners while promoting nutrition and strengthening food security in schools and communities.
At the Municipal Elementary Level, the winners were Dampe Elementary School of Floridablanca, San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School of Guagua, San Francisco Elementary School of Lubao, Pulung Santol Elementary School of Porac, Malusac Elementary School of Sasmuan, and San Basilio Elementary School of Sta. Rita.
At the High School Level, the awardees were Floridablanca National Agricultural School, Betis National High School of Guagua, Del Carmen National High School of Lubao, Camias High School of Porac, Malusac National High School of Sasmuan, and Ambrocio S. Simpao Educational and Trade Center for Learning of Sta. Rita.
Municipal-level winners received ₱30,000 each, while congressional-level winners San Francisco Elementary School and Floridablanca National Agricultural School were awarded ₱70,000 each.
“We are grateful and we gladly accepted the challenge for the school garden as we are an agricultural school and this is really beneficial for food security to be used also in feeding programs,” said Cora Soriano, Vocational School Administrator of Floridablanca National Agricultural School. The provincial government underscored that the success of the participating schools highlights the role of school gardens in strengthening nutrition programs and promoting sustainable practices among students in Pampanga. (PR-Pampanga PIO)