LANAO DEL SUR, PHILIPPINES – Community and Family Services International (CFSI) distributed hybrid seeds for backyard gardening to the project participants of the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) as part of ensuring food security during the global health crisis of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The seeds came from the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, particularly from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), which is a partner of CFSI in implementing MRP.
The distribution of seeds had been in three phases starting April 2020. More than 2,000 packs of various vegetable seeds were given to the project participants in Marawi City and in the municipalities of Butig, Lumbayanague, and Masiu.
Mike Wares Dauday, 65, was among the project participants who received seeds during the first wave of distribution.
“I planted the seeds on our backyard. Now that the vegetables have fully grown, I can get it fresh anytime to feed my family. I’m also planning to sell some of the produce to gain more income,” shared Dauday.
The Dauday family also received various assistance from MRP including birth certificate registration for each family member and provision of cattle for livelihood support. One of the children, who has a disability, was also assisted to avail an ID for Persons with Disability (PWD) from the city government.
The seed distribution is a joint initiative of CFSI and the Provincial Government to complement the urban-based livelihood support of MRP. Aside from livelihood assistance, the project participants are also provided with protection and psychosocial interventions.
CFSI, supported by the Australian Government, implements the MRP since 2017 to promote protection, psychosocial, and livelihood recovery of at least 6,500 households affected by the Marawi crisis.
To learn more about the project, visit https://cfsi.ph/marawi-recovery-project-mrp-project-brief/. #