ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government is ramping up efforts to empower the youth and strengthen livelihood initiatives, with a renewed commitment to support young farmers across the city.
This was emphasized during the courtesy visit of representatives from the Villar SIPAG Foundation at City Hall on Monday, July 7. The foundation, known for aiding Filipino families in their business ventures, advocates for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among young individuals to help them become agents of positive change in society.
The visit coincided with the National Evaluation for Outstanding Youth under the La Pazeño 4H Club, a testament to Zamboanga City’s continued recognition and promotion of youth excellence.
The Office of the City Agriculturist (OCA), under the leadership of Arben Magdugo, has remained proactive in working with partners to create community-based projects and expand sustainable livelihood opportunities for Zamboangueños.
In line with this, the city government is pushing for stronger support mechanisms through the OCA and allied agencies, including the passage of new or updated ordinances that will promote sustainable agriculture, modern farming methods, and food security across local communities.
Among those who joined the visit from the Villar SIPAG Foundation were Natanette Pardito, Honey Jessa Valdez, and other key officials, alongside former District II congresswoman Lilia Nuño. Also in attendance were Secretary to the Mayor Celso Lobregat and Executive Assistants Christian Olasiman and Christine Chua.
The city reiterated its commitment to empowering the next generation of farmers and ensuring that agricultural development remains at the forefront of its governance agenda.