The Iloilo City Local Economic and Enterprise Office (LEEO) is seeking assistance from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) intended for improvements to Iloilo City markets.

“Hopefully madala ang Iloilo City sa next phase nga project para we can also avail of grants nga gina-provide sang KOICA for farmers and markets (Hopefully, Iloilo City will be the next phase of the project in order for the city to acquire KOICA grants to provide for farmers and markets),” said LEEO head Jose Ariel Castañeda.

He said, if provided the said grants, the funding would go towards the reconstruction of public markets, a new building, and acquiring transport vehicles.

Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture and KOICA, as part of their Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project (PIU-SRDP), opened a local food terminal in Barangay 8, San Miguel, Iloilo.

PIU-SRDP, which is in its third phase, seeks to provide a direct link between local food producers and consumers.

According to Castañeda, the San Miguel facility has no impact on Iloilo City markets.

He cited a study that found most producers acquire their goods from the La Paz and Jaro Public Markets, along with the Iloilo Terminal Market.

“Any one of the three nga makita nila suitable for grant (Any one of the three they look at would be suitable for a grant),” he added./WDJ