‘School inside a garden’ revived

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has revived its School Inside a Garden (SIGA) program that aims to establish nurseries of endemic and indigenous trees and flowering plants in public schools nationwide.

The program was piloted in 442 public elementary and high schools last month, with selected schools receiving P50,000 each to fund the planting activities and procurement of necessary tools and equipment.

“The revised SIGA program aims to focus primarily on making school campuses throughout the Philippines green and colorful by planting trees and flowering plants, prioritizing but not limited to indigenous and endemic species to the Philippines,” the guidelines approved by Education Secretary Leonor Briones read.

“These identified species will not only provide shade and color to the campus but will also serve as laboratory for student learning and will further reinforce the DepEd’s advocacy for the environment,” it added.

Initially implemented in 1995, the SIGA program was formulated in support of the then national goal of a clean and green society. It previously focused on growing flowers, medicinal herbs and plants as well as exotic and fruit-bearing trees.

The new guidelines put emphasis on planting endemic and indigenous plant species in schools.

The DepEd said schools should come up with a planting map and ensure that the program is aligned with their respective development plans.

Schools without available planting space are encouraged to implement alternative methods such as container or vertical gardening.