A thriving and innovative vegetable garden in Barangay San Miguel, Lubao, Pampanga, is making waves as it competes as a finalist in the Department of Agriculture's Regional "Gulayan sa Barangay" program.

The garden boasts a variety of vegetables, medicinal plants, and even fruit-bearing trees, all grown through community efforts.

Barangay Captain Angelito Bansil said the project started small but flourished gradually with the help of local farmers and the agriculture office.

"Nag-umpisa kami mahirap pero kinaya din namin sa tulong ng agriculture office dito sa munisipyo at mga kabaryo ko," Bansil said.

"Kung anong kakayanin nila, shinare nila dito para ma-instill itong gulayan," he added.

The garden showcases a range of modern farming techniques, including wick-type self-watering plants, vertical gardening, and recycled materials like old tires and jeans used as planters.

The creative methods allowed the community to maximize small spaces for vegetable production.

"Inilunsad ang programang ito para maging sustainable ang gulayan sa [mga] barangay... Tulad ng nakaraang pandemya, hindi na tayo magugutom pa kung ang bawat barangay ay may itinatanim," Dr. Luis Bausa, chairman of the Urban Agriculture Peri-Urban Program, said.

All harvested produce from the garden is distributed to the residents of Barangay San Miguel.