THE Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution requesting the City Administrator's Office to undertake a study for the possible conversion of the vacant lot at the Social Development Center (SDC) into an organic garden.
The resolution also asked to direct the City Agriculture Office and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) to conduct a vocational training in organic farming to children in conflict with the law.
The SDC building is located behind the Bacolod City Police Office compound in Barangay Taculing.
Authored by Councilor Bartolome Orola, the resolution added that due to prolonged periods of institutionalization and limited community contact, many children lack basic skills. Hence, support is needed for their reintegration into the community.
Innovative programs such as skills training in organic farming will provide reformative, rehabilitative and basic education or vocational training to children in conflict with the law, it added.
Orola said these programs build children's basic social competencies, involving them with pro-social peers and filling their free time with constructive activities.
He added that the transformation of vacant lots will give the children hands-on opportunity to work in the farm.
The councilor also said that low-yielding organic agricultural systems are more friendly to the environment and more sustainable, adding that it will increase beneficial insects, the soil becomes softer, and children will be spared hours of exposure to toxic chemicals which are confirmed causes of cancer and other human diseases. (MAP)