RGC/URATEX GROUP, DA-BPI SIGNS MOA TO PROMOTE FOOD SECURITY AND URBAN AGRICULTURE
The RGC/Uratex Group of Companies, biggest foam and mattress manufacturer in the country, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) to promote urban agriculture through U-Grow: Resilience and Recovery Through Unity.
U-Grow is part of the RGC/Uratex Group of Companies' sustainability program which aims to engage its employees in ways and practices to achieve food security. This program is designed to ignite awareness on corporate sustainability while flourishing the camaraderie of its stakeholders including their employees, officials, and business partners.
Private sector for food security during health crisis and natural calamities
The RGC/Uratex Group of Companies appreciates the importance of partnership between government institutions and private sectors to stimulate not just economic growth but also food sufficiency especially during the pandemic and after being hit by destructive calamities the past months.
The Executive Vice President for Automotive of the RGC/Uratex Group of Companies, Mr. Edilberto A. Gallor recognizes the importance of public and private partnerships and the role they play in helping the country attain its development goals through creating job opportunities, fostering innovation, and accelerating the share of essential services.
"In this time of uncertainty, citizens look to the government for all the answers. However, we cannot do it alone. We need the support and collaboration of private sectors, civil society groups, and individuals to respond to challenges especially those brought about by the pandemic. Private entities are instrumental in growing the network of food producers in the country especially by the adaptation of urban agriculture," said BPI Asst. Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban.
"Amid the health crisis and natural calamities, it is even more timely to partner with DA-BPI to strengthen our commitment to support our employees through programs that will help them be self-reliant especially in producing foods that can be grown in their homes," Gallor added.
"Grow food, grow relationships, grow skills, grow together"
Members of DA-BPI conducted ocular inspection in Uratex Alabang and Canlubang manufacturing sites to kick-off the program last quarter of the year 2020. BPI-Laguna conducted an Urban Gardening Training for the Uratex Automotive Group in preparation for its own nursery or company vegetable garden.
Director for Automotive Mr. Edwin C. Gallor shared during the Urban Gardening Training that the company had started their planting initiatives decades ago with a "Plant a Tree" project in collaboration with their automotive partners Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi. The introduction of U-Grow sustained the initiative with a more focused approach towards food security. "Let us make planting part of our lives, from our manufacturing plants to your homes," he said.
From the founders’ guide and vision
The RGC/Uratex Group of Companies was founded 53 years ago with the leadership of Mr. Robert and Natividad Cheng. With limited funds and space, they would sometimes place a table under a santol tree and use it as their makeshift office. Under the greens, the company blossomed with its dream of providing comfort to every Filipino home through the mattresses and other products they produce.
"When a tree is already there and you plan to use the land for business purposes, make sure not to cut it. Find other means to let it grow and do not leave it dead just because of business," a reminder of RGC/Uratex Group of Companies CEO Mrs. Natividad Cheng shared by Gallor.