The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) recently organized the first-ever FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. (Growing Appreciation towards Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition) Market Day on 16 December 2024 at the Teaching and Learning Hub (TLH) Building, UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. By addressing SDGs 8, 11, 12, 13, and 17, this vibrant celebration promotes sustainability and inclusivity through an onboarding session to the electronic Alitaptap Community Currency (CC) (Eli) using an online application named Cyclos.

Professor Joane V. Serrano, FMDS Dean, officially opened the program, following a profound onboarding session to the e-Ali (pronounced as “Ellie”) passbook by Assistant Professor Ferdinand “Max” C. Maquito of College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

In UPOU, the practice of CC revolves around the FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N through an exchange of goods and services without the immediate monetary transactions, Give-and-Take relationship promoting Bayanihan spirit, and diversified transactional activities (Serrano, 2023).

Moreover, the event showcased the growing movement behind permaculture, highlighting the potential for sustainable and regenerative agriculture to foster awareness, innovation, and collaboration within and beyond the UPOU community. This brought together UPOU faculty, staff, and students, local businesses, permaculture advocates, entrepreneurs, farmers, artists, researchers, and other stakeholders and enthusiasts to showcase their products and sell their goods either via full digital Ali CC or a portion of CC and cash, fostering entrepreneurship and creativity within the community while contributing to a meaningful cause.

This 1st Market Day exhibited concessionaires selling pre-loved clothes, homemade baked goods from Ms. Catherine Faith Junio, an undergraduate student of BS Multimedia Studies (BAMS) under the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), agricultural products including vegetables and seedlings from the FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. and the Crops & Crafts AgriGrove Marketplace.

The event was attended by various stakeholders particularly the current members and interested participants eager to join the Alitaptap CC community.

Written by: First Name Surnmae • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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