BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Enterprising students of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) in this capital town have pioneered what they describe as a project that combats decreasing volume of agricultural crops harvested in urbanized municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya and the increasing factors that contribute to the worsening problem of solid wastes, like plastic bottles, plastic bags, tarpaulins and Styrofoam containers.
The NVSU Enactus Team introduced Project Eco-Pot for Urban Organic Gardening (EPUOG). Project Eco-Pot for Rural-urban Organic Gardening seeks to alleviate poverty through its social-entrepreneurship program.
“Project EPUOG is geared toward the promotion and implementation of urban gardening to uphold a food-production scheme with the use of organic fertilizer and lessen problems on food security and malnutrition. It also offers the consumers of the garden set-grown vegetables a healthy lifestyle as they nurture their own organic garden,” NVSU-Enactus Team Leader Eljoehara B. Millares said.
The project will be launched in Poblacion, Bambang, Barangay Salvacion, Bayombong and Barangay Osmeña in Solano. Women clubs or organizations in these three villages will be trained to craft an eco-pot with used tarpaulin materials to planting pots. This is a potential source of income for the clubs as their products such as eco-pot, organic fertilizers and organic vegetables will be sold at reasonable prices. This project also aims to be replicated in the different urban areas not only in the province of Nueva Vizcaya but to the entire country.
“Enactus is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through their entrepreneurial skills. It provides platforms for teams of outstanding students to create community development projects that put people’s own ingenuity and talents at the center of improving their livelihoods,” Enactus Philippines Chairman Dr. Jose P. Leviste Jr. said.
Guided by educators and supported by business leaders, students take the kind of entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to be a part of their own success. The move transforms both the lives of the people it serves and the lives of the students as they develop into more effective, values-driven leaders.
An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to showcase the impact of their outreach efforts and to be evaluated by executives serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious Enactus World Cup to experience excellence in competition, collaboration and celebration.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the annual Enactus Philippines National Finals on July 7 and 8 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
This year’s competing teams include Adamson University, Columban College (Zambales), Holy Trinity College of General Santos City, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Sultan Kudarat State University’s Access, Isulan and Tacurong Campuses, Tarlac Agricultural University and University of Antique.
Enactus is sponsored by EEI Corp. (Red Diamond Sponsor); OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. and AG&P (Diamond Sponsors); Unilever and Philippine Airlines (Platinum Sponsors); Saudi Aramco, AES Philippines and Orica Philippines Inc. (Silver Sponsors). KPMG (RG Manabat & Co.), Quisumbing Torres (member-firm of Baker & McKenzie International), Asian Corporate Network Inc., Philippine Eagle Foundation and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry are institutional partners.
Image credits: Suzanne June G. Perante