19 May 2014 Agri-Pinoy Trading Center Inaugurated by Sec. Alcala in Camarines Norte VINZONS, CAMARINES NORTE -Agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the inauguration of the P44.2M worth Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in Sitio Mat-i, Barangay Sto. Domingo of this municipality on May 14. This facility is the first of its kind to be established in the country and in the Bicol under the Aquino Administration. Patterned after the very successful “Sentrong Pamilihan ng Quezon” initiated by then 2nd district representative, Proceso Alcala, this facility will serve as an alternative marketing system and business model where small farmers and fisherfolk can sell their products directly at reasonable whole sale prices. The facility was constructed inside a 1,200 hectares lot owned by the provincial government of Camarines Norte which shall serve as a government common service complex. The APTC has the following facilities: a 675 square meters building equipped with food storage, cold storage, an office, and a trading floor. Another building has a farmers’ lounge with space for a canteen, power house, and guard house. There is also a parking area within the complex. The facility for now is being operated by the provincial government under the direct supervision of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, through the designated project manager, Engr. Almirante A. Abad. Later, an accredited farmers’ organization will operate this facility under the supervision and direction of the PLGU. The facility is expected to benefit at least 10,000 farmers who are tilling almost 33,198 farms covering approximately 15,000 hectares of productive agricultural lands in the province. Positive impact will come in the form of lesser/minimal trading layers and intermediaries which almost always results to higher farm gate and market price because of additional logistics and transfer cost; transport and hauling cost subsidy of at least 5% will be enjoyed by farmers because of the provision of trucking facility of the APTC in the collection and distribution of farm produce. Moreover, it is expected that a more organized trading system will be established among producers, traders and other players within the province, and neighbouring provinces including Metro Manila. In his speech Alcala said that despite the negative publicity that he has been getting he is more focused on fulfilling his commitment to the president and the people to feed the over 100 Filipino people. He apologized that the DA fell short of its 100% rice self-sufficiency target last year due to uncontrollable factors but he explained that the 97% sufficiency level was still the highest so far since the Aquino government took over. He cited the significant breakthroughs last year which were : first for the country to export rice to a number of countries after 30 years; first for the country to export chicken to South Korea and first for the country to export Peking ducks to Japan. He then asked the agri-stakeholders, LGUs and the private sector to continue supporting the programs of the DA. But he requested everyone never to refer to the trading center as “bagsakan” it has a negative connotation and does not augur well for business. Aside from Alcala also present during the occasion were: DAR secretary Virgilio R. de los Reyes who led the ceremonial turn over of the 2nd Agrarian Reform Communities Project. Other guests include Dipayan Battacharya of the World Food Program of the FAO ; Leandro H. Gazmin, director of DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service; Executive director, Helena B. Habulan, Municipal Development Fund Office of the Department of Finance; Mayor Leonardo “Sandy Javier of Javier, Leyte who is currently the national president of the League of municipalities; DSWD regional director Arnel B. Garcia who also represented secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman; DA Bicol regional executive director, Abelardo R. Bragas; DAR regional director, Luis B. Bueno, Jr; DA- PRDP Luzon B Program director, Shandy Hubilla. The provincial government officials headed by Governor Edgardo A. Tallado and vice governor Jonah Pimentel and the provincial board members came in full force. Vinzons mayor Agnes Ang and other municipal mayors also graced the occasion. Regional heads of DA attached agencies as NIA, NFA , BFAR, BAS, ATI, FPA, PCA, PhilFIDA, PCIC were also present. On same occasion, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the implementation of Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) was signed by Sec. Alcala and governor Tallado. The provincial government has enrolled in this project and has chosen coconut as its priority commodity to invest in, with geonet as its major product. Moreover, the secretary and the governor signed a MOA renewing the contract between DA and the PLGU authorizing the latter to utilize 33.3 hectares of the DA facility – the Lowland Rainfed Research Station (formerly Daet Seed Farm) for agricultural purposes. Alcala also distributed to farmers’ groups and individuals farm equipment like hand tractors with trailers and farm implements, post-harvest and processing equipment, greenhouse, certified seeds, assorted vegetables, piglets, packets of sheep, carabaos with plow, laminated sacks, bottom gill nets and motors for bancas and other items worth over P54.6M. Some of these were raffled to lucky farmers and fisherfolk participants. (Emily B. Bordado).
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 06:10:11 +0000
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