The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched on October 28 a two-day farmers and fishers outlet: “TienDA Para Sa Mga Bayani” at the Bonifacio Naval Station Covered Court, NSJ Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Bernadette Romulo-Puyat together with National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenza and other DA officials led the opening ceremony.

“The outlet is open exclusively for the soldiers, war heroes, veterans and their families on October 28. It will be opened to the public on October 29,” Puyat said.

Lorenzana said the food fair also signifies the government’s gratitude to all the sacrifices of soldiers and policemen for the country.

“This is a good venue for farmers and fishermen to sell their products and for us as consumers to buy products at farm gate price,” Lorenzana said.

He added that the farmers and fishers outlet gives soldiers and their families access to quality and safe agricultural produce at affordable prices.

During the event, DA officials and farmers/exhibitors the tying of the rope, symbolizing the strong partnership between farmers and soldiers in attaining available and affordable food for every Filipino.

TienDA food fair is a marketing initiative of DA, which aims to provide a direct trading center for farmers and fisher folk and eventually eliminate cartels, middlemen and dicers.

“This is in line with President Duterte’s directive to provide available and affordable food for Filipinos,” Puyat said.

“TienDA was initially launched on July 28 at BPI compound in Manila. It was followed on August 18-20 at the Agricultural Training Institute in Quezon City and Loyola Grand Villas on September 15-16,” she added.

DA is set to launch the “Karne, Isda Supply Strategy Para sa Masa at Ekonomiya” or KISS ME program at Fort Bonifacio next month. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)