by Gideon C. Corgue
Farmers and fisherfolks need not worry where to bring their products plus the added assurance of fair market price for their harvest because of the opening of the Rebokon Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.
DA/PAO Assistance
The BFT is a barangay-based food depot which offers safe, affordable and quality food products to better serve the needs of the local folks.
With the assistance of the Department of Agriculture (DA-9) and the provincial agriculturist office (PAO), a barangay food terminal (BFT) was established in Rebokon, a coastal barangay of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, endowed with abundant natural resources, picturesque sceneries and rich fishing grounds.
Access to local market
Barangay chairman Patrocinio M. Ancajas said during his first term of office and upon consultation with members of the barangay council, he took the lead of improving the BFT which was constructed by the previous administration, to respond to the demands of the farmers and fisherfolks because they lack access to alternative market for direct selling of their produce.
“Ang mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda gikan sa mga kasilinganang dapit sama sa barangay San Agustin ug Tubo-pait mogasto ug dako sa ilang pamasahe pagbaligya sa ilang mga presko nga abot gikan sa uma padulong sa Pagadian City busa kami nakahunahuna nga ipalambo ang BFT (The farmers and fisherfolks from the neighboring barangays of San Agustin and Tubo-pait used to spend more for transport costs in delivering their fresh farm produce to Pagadian City thus, we decided to improve the BFT),” Arancajas reported.
“Gawad Saka 2011” National Awardee
With the continuous monitoring and assistance of DA personnel and the active support of Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles on the project, Ancajas said the council believed that the BFT has improved its services to the clientele, enough to catch the judges’ attention thereby making them win in the Search for ‘Gawad Saka’ 2011 as an Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal.
Ancajas was one of the 22 winners who received cash awards and agri-fishery project grant ranging from P150,000 to 350,000, as well as a Presidential citation and Gawad Saka trophy.
No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III led this year’s “Gawad Saka” awarding ceremonies and honored the country’s outstanding farmers and fisherfolks at the Rizal Hall, Malacanang Palace on December 13, 2011.
Ancajas received the award together with Mayor Ace William Cerilles.
Affordable and quality food products for the marginalized sector
With the establishment of the BFT, Ancajas said quality food products such as fresh meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables at affordable prices were made available to the public specially the marginalized sector of our society.
“Kada semana mamaligya ta ug karneng baboy, mga utanon, isda ug uban pa aron nga ang mga kabataan nga nag-eskwela sa Day Care Center makakaon sa masustansya nga mga pagkaon (Every week, we will sell meat vegetables, fish, and other food items in order that the children at Day Care Center can eat healthy foods),” Ancajas said.
Anchored on BFT’s objectives to create employment opportunities through its livelihood components, it has employed two (2) sales ladies to assist customers in buying goods.
“Naka-hire ang BFT ug duha ka mga tindera aron nga makatabang pagbaligya. Sila makadawat ug 10% gikan sa halin sa pagpaninda ug kini makatabang usab pagdugang sa ilang abot. ( The BFT was able to hire two sales ladies to assist in selling goods. They receive 10% of sales and it helps augment their family income),” Ancajas explained.
Scholarship to poor but deserving students
The BFT also sponsored a scholarship program to poor but deserving students in Rebokon National High School to help them finish their studies.
“Nag-sponsor usab kami ug scholarship sa duha ka anak sa kabus nga among katagi-lungsod tungod kay buot namo nga makatabang kanila aron nga makahupot sila sa tukma nga edukasyon ug maayo nga trabaho.
Ang duha ka scholars anaa karon nagtungha sa Rebokon Agricultural and Vocational High School( We have also sponsored two scholars from our place, poor but deserving students who are enrolled at RAVHS because we want them to acquire proper education and a good job),” Ancajas said.
With the prizes that the BFT has received, they are planning to put up a “buy and sell business”.
“Sa premyo nga among nadawat, nagplano kami nga mohimo ug “buy and sell” business. Among paliton ang mga produkto sa uma ug pangisda sa mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda aron nga dili sila mogasto ug dako sa transportasyon ug aron ang mga paninda mapahimuslan sa among mga mulupyo ug silingan (With the prize that we received, we are planning to put up a buy-and-sell business. We will buy the farm and fishery products of our farmers and fisherfolks for them not to spend much on transportation and to make the goods available and accessible to our local residents and neigbors),” he said.
Ancajas expressed his gratefulness to Mayor Cerilles for the active support he extended to the BFT saying that without the chief executive’s support, they would not have achieved the honor of being a “Gawad Saka” 2011 national awardee. (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)