City of San Fernando—A trading post for agricultural products is being pushed by the provincial government to help local farmers recover from losses due to high production costs and restricted mobilization caused by localized lockdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda wants to use existing government infrastructures such as the Transport Terminal and Salilungan Center and convert it into a Central Trading Post of agricultural products from different places in the province, citing its accessibility.
“Farmers, including fishpond operators, are extremely affected in terms of mobilization of their produce to different markets. This prompted the provincial government to find ways and pushes for setting up a trading post for them,” said Pineda.
The Transport Terminal and Salilungan Center are located along Jose Abad Santos Avenue (formerly Gapan-Olongapo Road) at Barangay San Juan. It has been idle for a long time, even before the start of the quarantine, as bus terminals have transferred to the busy intersection at Bgy. Dolores here.
“Farmers can sell their crops and other produce at wholesale and retail prices at the Trading Post starting September,” said Pineda.
The trading post, Pineda said, is a partnership between the provincial government and city government of San Fernando. “Travel restrictions due to quarantine and high production costs slowed down the economy of our local farmers making them to sell their produce at a very low price,” he said.
The trading post will serve as delivery point of fresh vegetables and fruits, fish and meat products not only in Pampanga but also in other provinces in Central Luzon, the governor said.
The facility will be offered to interested farmers and entrepreneurs free from rental during initial operations.
Rehabilitation and repair of existing buildings will be undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command, private sector, and other government agencies that would assist in the project.