The once bare rooftop of the 4-storey Davao City Hall annex building burst into life as it has been literally transformed into a garden of colorful flowers and green herbs and vegetables.
The garden was opened Monday afternoon with the official turnover of the project by the Department of Agriculture to the Davao City Agriculturist’s office.
The 250-meter roof deck garden of plants in empty containers and plastic bottles was a collaborative project by the DA, CAO, and the Allied Botanical Corporation. The turnover signaled that the CAO has now full control over the project.
The garden, which is called Urban Edible Landscape Project, will serve as the laboratory for the planned massive urban gardening project of the Davao City local government.
“It is a demo unit for urban container gardening,” said CAO chief Leo Brian Leuterio. “We will open this to the public soon with the primary intention of inspiring people in the community to replicate the concept in their own backyards.”
The plan is to make the roof deck an urban organic garden where people can learn the mechanics of food production and enjoy urban green space.
The project intends to encourage organic container gardening in Davao City — where Dabawenyos can grow organic vegetables and herbs and spices right in their homes or offices and other small or limited spaces.
Monday’s event was attended by DA Undersecretary Evelyn Lavina who expressed the full support of her department to the local government’s plans and programs on agriculture.
Agriculture is among the Mayor Sara Duterte’s 10 priorities.
The mayor has earlier expressed her commitment to making sure that Dabawenyos, especially the children, have enough food to eat.
The roof deck garden will be made accessible to the public starting next year. CIO
