50-hectare farm lot concept takes root in Calamba

Manila, Philippines—An expansive property that used to be productive sugar and coconut land is being transformed into what could be considered one of the nearest residential farm estates there is in Metro Manila.

The project proponents are harping on the property’s natural advantages for farming, as well as its proximity to Tagaytay.

In a March 1 press conference, Tomas P. Lorenzo, Lapanday Properties president, disclosed that the project, La Huerta Farms and Residences, is a joint venture between Lapanday and Sta. Lucia Land Inc.

“You get good Tagaytay weather, good water supply, and at the same time the soil is good for medicinal and flowering plants, fruits and vegetables,” Lorenzo said.

The Calamba property is being trumpeted as “farming that has an innate ability to heal.” As such, TV celebrity Kim Atienza, who recently recovered from a stroke, has agreed to endorse the farm.

“I have a property here. I believe in the property, I believe in the project. I like animals. I like plants. It’s just an hour away (from Metro Manila). As a consequence of my getting the property, I’ll be healthier. When my house is built I’ll be there. I’ll be farming with my kids and my wife,” Kim gushed.

Atienza told Inquirer Property that this would be his first farm, and the first time he would have a house on a farm estate. He (enthused) that it would also be a perfect place to bring his Land Rover sport utility vehicle for some off-road driving.

The group related how the late Dr. Leonido Naranja of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, the man behind the concept farming design of La Huerta Farm Estate, would always stress that farming in olden times was not just seen as a source of sustenance but a way of life of communities as their whole lives revolved around farming and nature.

The proponents added that Naranja also viewed farming as an activity that gives the body a total workout—during walking, carrying loads, bending and twisting during planting and harvesting. Those who engage in traditional farming, the doctor noted, appeared to be lean and strong because they manually attend to their lands, and thus shed the “sweat of the earth.”

Exequiel D. Robles, president of Sta. Lucia Land, explained that La Huerta Farm Estates offer good-sized farm lots ranging from 700 sq m (fit for backyard gardeners and hobbyists) to as big as 3,000 sq m for agricultural entrepreneurs. “Farm lot owners have an ‘agricultural gym’ while enjoying his or her farm,” he said.

“This is La Huerta Farm Estates’ contribution to healing the Earth. We hope that other land developers will take this cue and be more creative in their realty development projects by advocating a healthier environment and lifestyle for all of us,” said Eduardo U. Tirona, president of Orchard Property Marketing Corp., SLLI’s marketing arm.

The developers guarantee that La Huerta garden management professionals and hor ticulturists would provide lot owners with technical support and training seminars on crop production and processing, organic farming, hydroponics composting and other earth-friendly agricultural practices. Each farm lot is priced at P4,200/sq m on five years low-interest rate. The allowable area for building structures is 20 percent.

Addressing the issue on the fragile balance between land developments and the ecosystem, Lorenzo has this to say: “This is precisely why it is a farm lot concept because we’re giving a 20-percent limit on the footprint. You cannot go in there and suddenly build a huge mansion and not plant anything. You’re supposed to build on just 20 percent of the lot, the rest of it landscaped or to produce food.”

Earth-friendly farming is said to be the backbone of La Huerta’s farming clusters. The El Sol cluster features plants and trees with medicinal and therapeutic benefits, while El Cielo includes an ostrich farm, organic vegetable and herb gardens, and pili nut farms. The La Luna cluster is where coffee and cacao, together with Bignay and other fruit wines, are grown, whereas tropical palms and flower farms thrive in the La Lluvia cluster.

Lorenzo stressed that the term “earth friendly” would be a more proper or political term to use when asked what farm management system the Estate would espouse. He said the group would not impose on farm lot owners to employ organic farming practices, adding that it would be the owners’ imperative to do their research and determine what kind of crops to grow, and how they grow them.

He added that a farm management system would depend on the crop, the cost and how far a farm lot owner would want to go to ensure the success of his or her farm. He also predicted that there would be significant activities in the production of compost and organic fertilizers among farm lot owners in the Estate.