To show that the government is serious in their mission to provide each and every Filipino access to high quality, nutritious, safe and affordable fresh and processed agri-fishery products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched another barangay-based project aimed to provide employment opportunities through livelihood and establishment of small food packaging and food processing center for agri-based products.
The Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) cum Bigasan ng Bayan at Barangay Dolores in Antipas, North Cotabato opened on July 8, 2018.
The project is the DA’s first collaborative project with the National Food Authority (NFA) after its function was returned to the agriculture agency.
Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol, together with DA-12 Regional Director Milagros C. Casis, led the launching ceremony attended by more than 500 farmers from Antipas and nearby municipalities.
The Food Terminal has a freezer, digital weighing scale, crates, and NFA rice worth P50,000. Valued at P450, 000, the project has a P70,000 fund allotment for building improvement, as well as trainings and seminars.
Among the products sold during the launching were NFA rice at P27 per kilo (kg), well-milled rice at P39/kg, black rice at P55/kg, and cacao beans at P85/kg. Cacao tablea, coco sugar, fresh milk and fresh vegetables were also available.
During the launching ceremony, Piñol awarded P695,550 worth of agri-fishery interventions to the municipality of Antipas, which includes P181,500 worth of assistance for rice production, P436,500 for corn, P12,550 for high value crops, P30,000 for livestock, and P35,000 for organic agriculture.
Piñol also announced that road works will soon start for the 1.8 kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR), from Dolores to Datu Selo, worth P20 million (M).
“We (DA) may not be able to complete all FMRs within this year but I promise that it will all be finalized before my term ends,” Piñol said.
The agri chief also committed around P23M available credit under the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) program for the municipality of Antipas. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
