Regional food terminal soon to rise at SRP

CEBU, Philippines —  A Cebu City councilor has proposed for the establishment of a regional food terminal at the South Road Properties.

Councilor Phillip Zafra, chairman of the committee on agriculture, is studying the need to come up with an ordinance providing for the guidelines to promote direct marketing of farmers’ harvest and produce in Cebu City.

“But an executive order from the Mayor will suffice outlining its regulations for its use. That is why we are focusing first on the construction of the site,” Zafra said.

Zafra said the SRP direct marketing will raise farmers’ income and promote cheaper purchases of vegetables and fruits to cut the “middleman system.”

“I always have that view that we should help farmers increase their yields,” he said, adding that farmers suffered wastage of crops due to limited consumers with the onslaught of the pandemic.

“We want the farmers to directly bring their locally produced harvests to display or sell them to the bagsakan center. Towards that direction, we will come up with an ordinance. That is one of the directions…to regulate the operations and guide the management of the food terminal,” Zafra said.

The plan includes establishing other food terminal sites in other areas and procuring cargo trucks or vehicles to let farmers’ cooperatives or associations transport goods without incurring expenses.

Following the approval of Mayor Edgardo Labella, Zafra finalized the exact location of the site last week pending a resolution from the SRP management designating that specific place as a site.

“So, okay na gud nang tanan. Sila na lang ang atong gipaabot then mag-groundbreaking na gud ta,” he said.

Engr. Joelito Baclayon, head of the City Agriculture Department, said the proposed Central Visayas Regional Food Terminal located at the SRP is expected to be constructed within or earlier this year.

He said the food terminal site is a strategic area given that Cebu City has no landing area like the Carbon Market. He added that it is not a typical marketplace but a bagsakan where a volume of farm produces will be weighed, auctioned, and distributed.

Baclayon said they are considering the establishment of similar sites situated in mountainous barangays to produce volumes of quality farm products, centralize agricultural commerce, and minimize losses.

“For now, the City Agricultural Department is being tasked to come up with the guidelines, rules, and regulations for its operation, specifically for those farmers who will be allowed to display their produce there,” said Zafra.

Zafra added there are on-going programs and projects benefiting numerous farmers, including the distribution of farm inputs and fertilizers.

As of now, there is the proposed food security ordinance pending approval by the city council. — Deogracia William Bemida, Silliman University intern, GMR (FREEMAN)