THOSE with limited mobility and access to organic and freshly-harvested fruits and vegetables in Barangay Pahanocoy in Bacolod City, including nearby areas, will now have the opportunity to purchase their needs at the Negrense KADIWA Bagsakan at the May’s Organic Garden.
This effort is in connection with the initiative of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar, who assures all Filipino families that there is enough food for everyone, which is accessible in public markets and through outlets of DA-initiated “KADIWA ni ANI at KITA.”
According to the DA Secretary, consumers may avail of low-cost fresh produce from the KADIWA stalls.
As this developed, Ramon Uy Sr. of the Bacolod City-based RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) has offered a space, free of charge, at May’s Organic Garden which is located at the Kilometer 8 of the south Bacolod highway.
He says the site is very ideal for the bagsakan center for the produce of the farmers in the southern part of Negros Occidental.
This is made possible through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, where one of its staffers is their consolidator who coordinates and purchases the fresh produce of the farmers, at fair prices, in the municipalities of Cauayan, Candoni, Sipalay, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Kabankalan City.
The produce of the farmers are then picked-up by RUFMSC to be brought to May’s Organic Garden and sold to the consumers at very reasonable prices.
Uy says the effort of RUFMSC is in partnership with the Region-6 office of the DA under Regional Director Remelyn R. Recoter, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental under Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc. (EcoAgri), Central Philippines State University (CPSU) President Aladino C. Moraca, May’s Organic Garden, Rural and Urban Farmers Assistance Center (RU Farm), and of course, the “KADIWA ni ANI at KITA” initiative of DA Secretary William D. Dar.
According to DA-6 Director Recoter, this mode of marketing is expected to help the local farmers to sell their produce, and for the community under quarantine which can buy fresh farm produce.
“This directly links the farmers/fishers to the consuming public,” says Recoter.
On the other hand, CPSU President Moraca says this timely initiative will greatly help the farmers in the countryside to sell their produce, particularly at this time where mobility is restricted due to COVID-19.
As he assured that CPSU will continue to consolidate and coordinate with the farmers in Kabankalan City to sustain the supply of fruits and vegetables for the Negrense KADIWA bagsakan.
Meanwhile, the Negrense KADIWA Bagsakan at the May’s Organic Garden operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Uy says that this effort is not only for the benefit of the local consumers but as well as a timely support for the local farmers of Negros Occidental.
He reminded though that a “No Face Mask, No Transaction” policy will be observed for the health and safety of the consumers./PN
