HERNANDEZ, NEW CITY AGRICULTURIST

City officials and employees met the new City Agriculturist, Edgardo Hernandez during the flag raising ceremonies at Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center last Monday.

“It is my confidence that having Edgardo Hernandez as our City Agriculturist with his extensive experience in the field of agriculture is beneficial for our pursuit to insulate or at least prepare our city against the looming worldwide food crisis,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. said while introducing Hernandez to city officials and employees.

In an interview, Hernandez said that he plans to maximize the potentials of Olongapo City in food production and income generation. “Mayor Gordon is right on track in mitigating a possible food crises which is not limited to the Philippines because it is worldwide,” he said.

Because of Olongapo’s urban setting, Hernandez also plans to implement Urban Agriculture which is currently being used in Singapore, Taiwan and Japan. Urban Agriculture is focused on vegetable, herb and citrus production where only limited agricultural areas are available.

Hernandez is likewise eyeing close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the reforestation of the city’s terrains through planting of trees including mango, bamboo, and citrus trees. According to the City Agriculturist, this will significantly help generate additional food resources and income for the city.

Moreover, Hernandez is looking into the possibility of aqua culture to be able to raise fish in the rivers of the city.

Meanwhile, Hernandez also aims to participate in the in the beautification program and projects of the city government including waste segregation, combination of ornamental and vegetable and herbs gardening as he believes that this will yield to more economic and health benefits for Olongapeños.

Hernandez is a graduate of BS-Agriculture Major in Horticulture at the University of the Philippines –Los Baños.

Hernandez has extensive experience in crop production, soil and tissue analysis, pest management, irrigation, landscaping, cooperative management and data gathering consolidation. Although he worked in the private sector for a long time, Hernandez is already familiar with local government processes as he maintains close coordination with local officials.

Hernandez was born in Del Carmen, Alaminos, Laguna on July 15, 1954. He is blessed with five (5) children.