PERFECTO “JOJO” ROM is an urban farmer. He graduated from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in 2001 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Crop Science through a full scholarship provided by the Xavier Science Foundation from 1997 to 2001. He has visited other countries teaching those willing to listen on the concept of UCG. His work about Urban Farming is known internationally as an efficient way to maximize agriculture in urban places.
The complex problem brought about by environmental degradation includes poverty, hunger, social injustices, and climate change. Urban container gardening is an emerging advocacy to democratize agriculture, address food security and waste management problems for local socio-economic development. The World Bank, in 2014, has accepted UCG as a socially inclusive enterprise for the informal waste sector (JSDF-SWAPP-World Bank 2014).
In recognition of its potential great contribution to food security and environmental protection, the Urban Container Gardening of Mr. Rom in Cagayan de Oro has been given several citations and awards: the Lunhaw Award in 2012 and the 2014 Top Brand Philippine Awards. In 2011, Business Mirror news correspondent Mach Alberto “Bong” Fabe garnered the top prize for the “Best Agriculture Story Award” during the 5th Brightleaf Agriculture Journalism Award when he reported on Mr. Rom’s mission of promoting food sufficiency by involving as many people through urban container gardening.
To conclude his session, he said: “We don’t need to become an environmentalist, a forester or an agriculturist to care and make this planet and its inhabitants healthy. Just make gardening a way of life. Start with a single pot.”