LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Local public schools in four Benguet towns recently received seeds and other agricultural supplies and materials for the school-based nursery project as part of the provincial government’s support in food production and environmental protection.

Speaking before farmers, beneficiary schools and town officials, Gov. Nestor Fongwan said the donations would remind the community the value of preserving the environment.

“Ipalagip na met laeng a ti daytoy a trabaho ket irugi laeng ti probinsya ngem itultuloy ti lokal a gobyerno ta isu met ti mandate yo,” (This will remind us that this task will be started by the province but you will continue because it is your mandate) Fongwan told the town officials, who recieved the seeds and supplies at the Provincial Gymn here Thursday.

Caring for the environment is a school and community partnership, he said. He added, the community identifies communal forests, the government assists in its preservation, but in the long run, it is the community which would benefit from it.

Recipients included the Central Bokod Elementary School; Central Kabayan Elementary School; Kibungan’s Napsong Barrio School; and Bakun’s Ampusongan National High School. The materials included seeds, plastic bags for seedlings; organic fertilizers; PVC pipes and spriklers from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG). # Lyn V. Ramo