THE Army’s 4th Infantry Division on Thursday expressed its support after the command tapped the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra sa COVID-19,” the efforts are to avert a potential food shortage amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

4ID commander Maj. Gen Andres Centino even directed his Infantry brigades and battalion commanders to fully support the program and implement sustainable food production in their respective camps.

According to Centino, the program seeks to promote and support food production in urban areas by educating soldiers and their dependents living inside their respective camps on the different types of urban farming.

“With the help from the Department of Agriculture, it is high time for us to pursue this endeavor not just to give us a temporary point of supply during this time of crisis but also to provide us with a sustainable source of essential goods,” said Centino, adding that with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that there will be a tightening of the food supply. When food is scarce, the disorder is possible.

“ALPAS sa COVID-19” is an urban agricultural program of the DA that aims to ensure the food sustainability in highly urbanized cities (HUCs) all over the country and to provide an alternate source of livelihood by contributing to economic gains for urban dwellers amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

“I commend the initiatives and dedication of our soldiers in supporting and in improving our food adequacy level, we should aim for food security,” Centino said.

4ID public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas said the 4ID forces in the Caraga region had partnered with the DA Caraga for a 2-day technical briefing and orientation seminar on the Urban Agricultural Program or “ALPAS sa COVID-19”.

He said DA will provide subject matter experts (SMEs) for the conduct of various training on urban farming including different types of agricultural methods to provide seedlings and garden tools to those living or located in urbanized areas

Twenty-two (22) soldiers assigned in the region are now equipped with the knowledge and skills on vegetable gardening, vermicast production, corn seeds and mushroom production, poultry production, and goat raising.

DA 13 assistant regional director Nicandro M Navia said they were overwhelmed seeing uniformed personnel tapping DA to teach them on the proper way of planting scientifically.

"We are really happy to be partnering with the AFP," Navia said.

Pueblas also said soldiers and former rebels from the region joined hands and support the food sufficiency program in Northern Mindanao.

In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture - Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-NOMIARC), the former rebels were able to plant several vegetable seedlings under the “Arm to Farm Program” of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4ID, PA in the province of Bukidnon.

ALPAS sa COVID-19” serves as one of the former rebels’ sources of income.

"Let us continue working together in performing our mission as one to fully secure the welfare of our people. We will support the “ALPAS sa Covid-19” to avert a potential food shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Centino

“We will ensure that military camps are self-sustaining while our soldiers will have a steady source of nutritious food amid the pandemic,” Centino said. (Ben Balce)