Philippine home for the aged cultivates vegetables and eggs, plans to sell surplus produce
A home for the neglected in the Philippines has been producing okras, beans, eggplants, other crops, and eggs in the one hectare of land where the nursing home was built.
"Currently, our produce is for the consumption of our residents only," said Fr. Dari Dioquino, one of the founders of the Josefheim Foundation home for the aged. "But we are going to sell our produce once our production increases."
The one-hectare land was donated by a charitable individual who is lending two hectares of land to the Josefheim home for the aged, explained Diouino.
"We are going to plant more vegetables on those two hectares in a joint venture with the donor," he said.
The two hectares of land are next to the one hectare of land of the home for the aged in Pililia, a coastal town in the province of Rizal, more than 120 kilometers southeast of Manila.
They have also planted fruit-bearing trees, ornamental plants, and herbal plants on the one-hectare.
They are keen on selling fruits, and ornamental and herbal plants to boost the income, Dioquino said. The proceeds would be used to cover the expenses of the home for the elderly.
"Some visitors suggest developing the area into an ecotourism place," he said, adding that they are open to and would support the idea.
Some have even submitted a plan to develop it into an ecotourism site. The plan includes putting up coffee shops, wellness centers, and recreation facilities.
Several individuals have expressed support for the plan, Dioquino said.
The home for the elderly is frequented by charitable individuals, groups, and families who are potential buyers of vegetables and other farm produce.
The visitors are also seen as potential guests once the area is developed into an ecotourism site.
Currently, the home for the elderly has 21 senior and elderly residents, said Dioquino.
"We offer shelter to neglected seniors and elderly regardless of religious belief," the Catholic priest said.
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