MANILA, Philippines—Green beds of pechay and lettuce, plots of kangkong and saluyot, and fruit-laden trellises of ampalaya and upo have taken the place of weeds and grass in several vacant lots in Mapayapa Village III, Capitol Site in Quezon City.
The homeowners association in the area used to spend quite a lot for the cleaning of vacant lots which was necessary both for aesthetic and safety reasons. During the summer months, the thick growth of cogon that covered the unoccupied lots was a fire hazard.
Now, not only do residents save on grass-cutting expenses, they also have a ready source of fresh, nutritious and very cheap vegetables right in the village. The vegetables are so cheap – P10 for a bunch of pechay (Chinese cabbage) or P35 for ampalaya (bitter gourd) – more than enough for a family’s meal.
A retired civil engineer started the vegetable gardening project. Then, other residents, seeing the benefits, followed suit.