The Department of Agriculture and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have developed structures across Panay to help promote local goods, primarily in far-flung areas. In an effort to market local goods, a regional local food terminal and 10 Bayanihan Tipon Centers have been constructed.

“These structures will serve as marketing hubs for all upland produce in the four provinces in Panay,” explained focal person Maria Teresa Solis. “We aim to intensify the production of upland agricultural commodities by assuring them of a steady and sustainable marketing system.”

The developments are part of the Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project (PIU-SRDP), which is in its third phase. The project seeks to provide a direct link between local food producers and consumers.

The local food terminal, which is located in Barangay 8 in San Miguel, Iloilo, will have its grand opening beginning today.

Meanwhile, the Bayanihan Tipon Centers are located in Libacao and Madalag in Aklan; Patnongon, Sebaste, and Tobias Fornier in Antique; Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz; and Alimodian, Lambunao, and Tubungan in Iloilo.

Last March, at the close of the PIU-SRDP’s second phase, the Department of Agriculture and KOICA urged local farmers across Panay to sustain the P48 million income-generation project.

More than P40.5 million was funded by KOICA, while the remaining amount came from the department./WDJ