The “Sustainable Re-Greening and the Art of Composting for Cleaner Environment” or SRAC project recently launched in Lucena City gained a lot of praises. One of which came from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Rodolfo C. Garcia.

Garcia said the regreening and composting project is a great response to the serious problem on solid waste in the country, as it encourages people to participate in the advocacy for the environment.

Launched during the 1stConvention on Tayo Ang Kalikasan (TAK) in Quezon Province, SRAC is a garden competition aimed at promoting recycling and composting as the best source of organic fertilizers while lessening the volume of solid waste generated and collected daily.

DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Ipat Luna earlier said that tons of unmanaged wastes can be cut in half should people only practice composting in their own homes.

Garcia said composting is a good way to deal with the kitchen wastes in every household and that, it can improve the quality of the soil as well as the condition of the fruit-bearing trees and vegetables planted in it. He emphasized that composting need not a big space but, can be done using a plastic barrel or a drum.

The DENR Chief of Staff commended also the edible landscaping component of the project saying it is “a new and exciting way to harvest and have vegetables”.

“You are not only after the nutrients; you are after giving aesthetics in your yard. You are just being inspired by your yard farm,” he said.

“The DENR launched TAK to partner with various organizations to promote environmental awareness and I am very glad that this event of the 1st convention on TAK on regreening and composting in partnership with the Federation of Lucena Homeowners’ Association, Inc. is a very successful one, for indeed ‘yung problema ng basura na itatackle natin ngayon ay sadyang napakabigat,” he added.

Being under the umbrella of the TAK advocacy of the DENR, Garcia said the project is not only after the wellness of the environment but also the improvement of the quality of living of the communities including livelihood opportunities.

“I am excited to see your farms at your backyards, in the future, and households practicing composting. Maybe in the future, homeowners’ associations will become TAK chapters,” he said.

“We are doing this hindi para sa atin, kung hindi, para sa mga susunod pa sa atin,” he added.

The TAK-SRAC is open to all residents of Lucena City who are members of a homeowners’ association or any organized group of homeowners. Those from Lucena City who are interested to participate may coordinate with the DENR-PENRO Quezon through landline at 710-3133 and email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details. Registration ends on July 30, 2019.

The DENR-PENRO Quezon plans to have the garden competition replicated in other municipalities in the province.

#DENRCALABARZON #TayoAngKalikasan