Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

Barangay food terminal launched
by Imelda A. Arida (July 31, 2006)
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo launched last April 7 a food depot at the Batasan Hills to ensure availability and accessibility of food products like meat, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables and rice to consumers.


Called Barangay Food Terminal, the food depot is a project of the Huwarang Palengke Program of the DA [Department of Agriculture]. It is a priority project of President Arroyo and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte with the support of Brgy. Captain Rannie Ludovica and Berna Romulo Puyat of the BRP Foundation, Inc.


BPRE and the DA-AMAS [Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service] have been designated to lead in the implementation of the food depot and in establishing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain.


The barangay council of Brgy. Batasan Hills will manage and operate the food depot in doing the procurement, storage and distribution of agricultural food products. The food commodities will be supplied directly by farmers, fisherfolk and animal growers at farm gate prices.


The project is expected to create employment opportunities that would increase income and productivity of barangay residents through ambulant vending, satellite stores [talipapa and sari-sari stores], and services as food packers and processors.