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bahay kubo scheme

Bahay Kubo Scheme

          In 1996, a health worker in Barangay Imelda at Samal, Bataan needed help to treat malnourished children in the community. Rev. Jose P. M. Cunanan and his wife, Elizabeth, responded by organizing the community and introducing the Bahay Kubo food production scheme.

          Inspired by the Philippine folk song "Bahay Kubo", the Cunanans started the food production program that encouraged households to plant the 18 crops/plants mentioned in the song.

  • Singkamas (turnips)
  • Talong (eggplant)
  • Sigarilyas (winged beans)
  • Mani (peanuts)
  • Sitao (string beans)
  • Batao
  • Patani (lima bean)
  • Kundol (white gourd melon)
  • Patola (loofa)
  • Upo (white gourd - club shaped)
  • Kalabasa (squash)
  • Labanos (radish)
  • Mustasa (mustard)
  • Sibuyas (onion)
  • Kamatis (tomatoe)
  • Bawang (garlic)
  • Luya (ginger)
  • Linga (sesame seeds)

          Since 10 of these plants are creepers, the construction of balag (trellis) is suggested under this scheme. The frames of the trellis could be made of bamboo, buho, kakawati, or ipil-ipil. Wire or rope can be used in setting up the frames. The use of wire mesh as the "gapangan" is recommended since it generally lasts longer than the net or the coconut leaves.

          Most of it are not seasonal plants, thus can be grown the whole year round.

Growing these plants in your own backyard would guarantee the steady source of nutritious food for the consumption of the whole family. It may also provide you the chance to generate additional income by selling the produce that you could not consume.

Conceptualized by:
Rev. Jose Pepito M. Cunanan
Barangay Imelda
2113 Samal, Bataan
Philippines
Tel. No. 0-917-408-6279

date documented: August 2000