Food terminal breaks ground

CEBU, Philippines — The farmers' Regional Food Terminal broke ground recently at South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

The city government allotted P14 million for the project.

Mayor Michael Rama said the start of the project construction was delayed due to the pandemic.

he shared that he was still a vice mayor when he and Councilor Phillip Zafra conceptualized the food terminal.

Zafra, who sits as the chairman of the City Council's committee on agriculture, was one of proponents of the program.

"Kining Regional Food Terminal kay atoang tukoron alang sa mga mag-uuma, aron naa na sila  kabagsakan sa ilahang mga “abot" ug alang usab sa atoang mga kaigsounang mamalitay  kung diin makapamalit sila og barato ug presko  nga mga utanon ug lagutmon," said Zafra.

He added that the project is a  long-term solution to food security especially during a crisis.

With the terminal, City Agriculture Department (CAD) head Joey Baclayon said, the farmers can directly sell their produce to the consumers.

Zafra agreed saying that SRP direct marketing will raise farmers’ income and promote cheaper purchases of vegetables and fruits to cut the “middleman system".

The  SRP is the "most suitable" place for the project because of its big area, he said.

He added that  farmers suffered wastage of crops due to limited consumers with the onslaught of the pandemic.

Zafra said the Regional Food Terminal will include two cold storage vans. — KQD (FREEMAN)