NLEX-SCTEX project grows food and livelihoods

The saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” rings true at the NLEX-SCTEX Community Farm, where residents of Barangay Pio in Porac, Pampanga have learned to grow their own food and earn through sustainable farming practices.

In just a year since opening, the farm has yielded over 1,200 kg of fresh vegetables like pechay, eggplant, and white onions. It combines traditional and hydroponic techniques to boost harvests and quality.

“Bago po sa amin ang hydroponic farming at napakapalad po namin na nabigyan kami ng opportunity na matutunan at magamit ito sa community farm. Nakatulong po ito para mas mapadami at mas mapabilis ang harvest namin. Kapag mas mabilis at mas marami ang harvest, mas malaki rin ang pwede namin kitain,” said Magdalena David, farm operations supervisor.

“Napakalaking bagay po na kapag kinapos kami, mayroon kaming matatakbuhan,” David added.

Larry Serrano, a volunteer and General Manager of the Ilug Kamalig Agriculture Cooperative (IKAC), said the project sparked interest in backyard farming. “Nakakatuwa rin na naka-inspire kami ng ilan naming mga ka-barangay. Nabigyan namin sila ng idea kung paano magtanim kahit sa limited na espasyo. Marami na rin kaming na-enganyo na gawin ito sa mga bakuran lang nila,” he said.

“This farm exemplifies the true spirit of Bayanihan. It demonstrates the significant impact we can make when we support one another, even in simple ways. Beyond providing healthier and more affordable food options, we uplift individuals by creating opportunities for them to earn extra income and fostering meaningful collaboration between communities and organizations,” said NLEX VP for Communication and Stakeholder Management Donna Faylona-Marcelo.

Set up in 2024, the 650-square-meter farm was made possible through NLEX Corporation, its employees, IKAC officers, and volunteers. It supports IKAC members with healthy food and added income, making daily living more manageable. The effort reflects NLEX’s support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals — SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, the tollways group of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.