Mandaue SP seeks "Bagsakan Center"

CEBU, Philippines - A Mandaue City councilor yesterday said the establishment of an Innovative Community Store or a "Bagsakan Center" in the city will help farmers sell their produce without much difficulty. For instance, haggling with middlemen would be a thing of the past.

Councilor Jimmy Lumapas said a "Bagsakan Center" is a marketing center for agricultural goods from the provinces which are directly sold to the public at relatively cheaper prices because middlemen would no longer be involved.

The city council has adopted a resolution requesting Mayor Jonas Cortes for the establishment of such a center.

The mayor welcomed the resolution and promised to act on it.

Councilor Lumapas said the city of Mandaue duly recognized as a highly urbanized city in 1991, should have a Bagsakan Center in its own backyard.

The city of Mandaue is located between two entry points, the Mactan Cebu International Airport and the Cebu International Port, and at the same time hosts the berthing area of the renowned Trans-Asia Shipping Lines and other smaller shipping Lines whose ships ply the Visayas and Mindanao routes.

The strategic location of the city, being at the center of the Metro Cebu areas, makes it the most accessible and convenient receiving area for the sale of products coming from neighboring provinces.

The city councilor said the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 7 is implementing the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program which includes, among others, the establishment of Bagsakan Centers.

Lumapas said this project aims to promote improved livelihood income for our small-scale producers in the countryside and in the same manner making the foods accessible to the consumers and inviting them to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

This particular program of the Department of Agriculture, according to Lumapas, will not only offer local farmers and fishermen to enjoy higher profits but also commits to provide the consumers in general with safe agricultural produce such as organic fruits, fresh vegetables, and the like. (FREEMAN)