Del Monte to ship meat to ‘bagsakan centers’

Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) is to deliver initially four tons of meat carcass a week to so-called Bagsakan Centers and Barangay Food Terminals. The company may also ship live cattle to these outlets that are run by the government.

DMPI plantation manager Bunnie Jaranilla said they are looking into the costs, since the company principally imports cattle abroad.

DMPI has 4,000 heads and will replenish stocks early next week.

The plan forms part of an arrangement with the Department of Agricuture (DA) to help bring in affordable vegetable, fruits, meat and oither agricultural products from Mindanao to different Bagsakan Centers established in Metro Manila.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap asked DMPI to ship premium cut meat directly to various Bagsakan Centers and Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) to reduce trading layers and help farmers bring their produce straight to Metro Manila.

The existing BFTs are located in Barangays Holy Spirit, Pansol, Batasan Hills, Payatas and Kristong Hari in Quezon City; Barangays 129 in Smokey Mountain, 630 in PUP and 649 in Baseco, Manila; Barangays Signal Village, Tuktukan and Western Bicutan in Taguig; Barangay 198 in Pasay City; Towerville Public Market in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; and Bagong Silang in Caloocan.