PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc.’s (Smart) PlantSmart GrowHub continues to sprout in various communities in Mindanao, bringing positive impact to its beneficiaries, including GrowHub caretaker Florencio "Dodong" Cuerquis of the Jesuit Retreat House (JRH) in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Dodong, 48, has been a cook at Malaybalay JRH for 25 years. His commitment has always been to deliver great service to their retreat participants and guests, particularly when it comes to the food that he prepares for them. Amid the pandemic, they established a small vegetable garden inside the retreat house to ensure that they use fresh and organic vegetables as ingredients.

"As a cook, it makes me happy to see that our guests are pleased with the meals that we prepare for them, and it makes me even more proud that we use vegetables grown in our backyard," he said.

When he learned that the Malaybalay JRH is among the beneficiaries of the GrowHub Project, Dodong was very delighted, since it can boost their efforts to improve their garden, especially with the help of hydroponics.

PlantSmart GrowHub is an office-based edible garden first built in PLDT and Smart offices, aiming to introduce sustainable urban gardening to their employees. Underscoring their commitment to promoting food security and sustainability among Filipinos, PLDT and Smart partnered with Zamboanga City-based non-profit organization Kids Who Farm to bring this project to Bukidnon and benefit the JRH and five Jesuit partner schools.

As one of the caretakers of the GrowHub, Dodong persisted in learning more about the process and advantages of hydroponics, which is an efficient way of growing plants with reduced water use.

"Thanks, PLDT and Smart, for this very meaningful program. As someone who was raised by farmers, gardening or farming has always been my favorite pastime. I am excited to grow my knowledge on farming through the GrowHub Project and learn more about innovative farming techniques that are very useful today," said Dodong.

This initiative supports PLDT and Smart’s efforts to help the country attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #2: Zero Hunger, #3: Good Health and Well-Being, and #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.