Republic of the Philippines

Province of Iloilo
Municipality of Balasan
Barangay Poblacion Sur

OFFICE OF THE PUNONG BARANGAY

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 001 SERIES OF 2023

AN ORDER PROVIDING THE GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HALINA'T MAGTANIM NG
PRUTAS AT GULAY (HAPAG) SA BARANGAY PROJECT OF BARANGAY POBLACION SUR,
MUNICIPALITY OF BALASAN, ILOILO
WHEREAS, the economy of the Philippines depends heavily on the agricultural sector, thus
challenges encountered, especially by farmers, have negative effects on the food security in the country.
Given its geographic location, the Philippines experienced numerous threats to food security brought
about by strings of natural calamities that have rendered farm produce unusable or increased food prices
due to food shortage
WHEREAS, COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the country’s food security, disrupting the
availability and access to free and nutritious foods at affordable process.
WHEREAS, the Philippines ranks 68th of the 116 countries assessed for experiencing hunger
globally. With a score of 16.8, the Philippines had a moderate level of hunger (2021 Global Hunger Index).
In addition, the result of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) National Survey released on September
11, 2022 with 1500 respondents shows that 11.6% of Filipino or about 2.9 Million households have
experienced involuntary hunger in the past three months.
WHEREAS, to address the problem of hunger and food insecurity in the Philippines, the national
government enacted several laws and implemented various initiative and strategies to ensure sustainable
and resilient production and food availability throughout the country. However, food insecurity remains a
challenge in the country due to food shortage and rising food prices brought by natural calamities and
disasters, health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, among others, hindering economic growth and
national development.
WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior and Local Government thru its Memorandum Circular
2023-001 shows its support in cognizant of the role of barangay as essential partners of the national
government in contributing to address hunger and ensuring food security in the country thru the Halina’t
Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay Project;
WHEREAS, HAPAG project aims to strengthen the capacities of barangay towards sustainable
agriculture initiatives. One of which is the intensification and fostering of agricultural activities and
communities will be encourage to produce fresh, healthy and affordable fruits and vegetables from their
backyard spaces, through the establishment of community gardens in the barangays with vacant areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, HON. RITCHIE A. BALBERONA, Punong Barangay of Barangay Poblacion Sur
by the power vested upon me by law do hereby order that:
Section 1. Organization and Composition. The Barangay Poblacion Sur HAPAG Team is hereby
organized and shall be composed of the following:
Chairperson: RITCHIE A, BALBERONA Punong Barangay
Focal Person: REY BALBERONA Kagawad Chairman on Agriculture
 Secretariat: LERILYN OROCIO Barangay Nutrition Scholar
Members: NEO GANZON SK Chairman
JOHN BERICO Kagawad Chairman on Health
ROSE SOLO Barangay Health Worker
MAY ANN PALDAS 4Ps Parent Leader
PATERNA BUENSALIDO CSO Representative
AMELIA BACO CSO Representative

Section 2. Roles and Functions. The Barangay Poblacion Sur HAPAG Team shall have the
following roles and functions:
1. Establish and maintain a HAPAG Barangay Community Garden (BCG) which shall be at least
two hundred square meters (200 sqm) of land area whether continuous or thru vertical gardens;
2. Set-up a community garden in a vacant area preferably owned by the barangay or the
Municipal Government. In case of unavailability, the Sangguniang Barangay can make an
arrangement with a lot-owner in the barangay for the temporary use of the land for the HAPAG-BCG.
3. Manage the operations of the HAPAG- BCG;
4. Coordinate with the Municipal Agriculture Office for any available agricultural training,
seminars and capacity-building services as well as seeding materials and other agricultural
equipment and facilities, that would help in the operation of the HAPAG-BCG;
5. Lead the promotion of the HAPAG-BCG to the community including its importance and
benefits as well as the products produced through the community garden;
6. Promote agribusiness, especially for high-value products in the areas;
7. Keep a record of the overall operations of the HAPAG-BCG such as the types of seedlings
planted, number of vegetables and fruits harvested (e.g. per sack, per piece, per kilo etc), among
others;
8. Ensure the adequate provision of agricultural services and facilities in the barangay
pursuant to Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991;
9. Enjoin a group of volunteers in the community to help in the establishment of and
maintenance of the HAPAG-BCG as well as spread the information in setting-up household vegetable
gardening and/or planting fruit-bearing trees; and
10. Submit reports to the Municipal Field Office of the DILG on their compliance with the
establishment of the HAPAG-BCG.
Section 3. Effectivity. This order shall take effect immediately.
Issued this 20th of January 2023 at barangay Poblacion Sur, BALASAN, ILOILO.

RITCHIE A. BALBERONA
PUNONG BARANGAY