5 public markets get awards

President Arroyo awarded yesterday the "Huwarang Palengke, Mura Na, Malinis Pa" award to five public markets in Metro Manila in recognition of their outstanding efforts to enhance agri-business activities and maintain prices of agricultural products and other prime commodities at affordable levels.

The President gave certificates of recognition and P.5 million worth of assistance from the Deaprtment of Agriculture to each of the winners chosen from among 60 contending markets.

The five "Huwarang" public markets are: New Dagonoy Market in San Andres, Manila; Marikina Public Market in Sta. Elena, Marikina City; Mutya ng Pasig Market in Caruncho Complex, Pasig City; Pamilihang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa City; and Polo Public Market in Valenzuela City.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Marikina City Mayor Ma. Lourdes Fernando, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando accompanied the President during the awards rites and her inspection of the price situation in the Marikina City public market.

In his welcome remarks, Yap said the prize of the winning public markets will be released to the market vendors associations in the form of project funds to purchase refrigerated vans as chilling facilities, improvement of agri-fishery products, and upgrading of market facilities, including the construction of additional stalls.

Upon her return from Vatican City where she attended the burial of Pope John Paul II last April 9, the President awarded certificates of recognition and P.5 million grant to each of the winners in the private market category of the project held at Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City.

The winners of the "Huwarang Palengke" award in the private market category are: Clara Market (Baclaran), Parañaque City; Concepcion Market (Bayan-Bayanan) Concepcion I, Marikina City; Farmers’ Market in Cubao, Quezon City; Munoz Market also in Quezon City; and Peoples’ Market in Tumana St., Concepcion I, Marikina City.

Yap said the "Huwarang Palengke" winners would help agri-cooperatives by providing them rent-free stalls in their markets to sell their products. The market owners also agreed to act as wholesalers of retailers of vegetables.

The search for the model Metro Manila wet markets, which kicked off in November last year and ended last Jan. 12, is a pet project of the Department of Agriculture designed to enhance agribusiness activities and encourage retailers to maintain the price of basic commodities at affordable level.