BARANGAY Daliao, Toril, Davao City—The soon-to-be-established Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) here is expected to link local farmers and fishers to major food regions across the country.
“The APTC-Davao will form part of the country’s integrated supply chain as the city’s strategic location makes it the premiere agricultural and trade center of Mindanao,” Agriculture Regional Director Remelyn Recoter said.
Along with Davao City officials, Recoter led the simple groundbreaking ceremony held on September 30 at the proposed site of the APTC-Davao.
She also turned over the P35-million check to Davao City Administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain. The amount is the first tranche of release for the P70-million APTC funds from the Department of Agriculture.
“The trading post will enable small farmers and fishers in Davao City, including those from the neighboring provinces, to market their produce directly and earn comfortable incomes,” Recoter said. “APTC will also make food accessible and affordable to our consumers,” she added.
“The site has the key elements required for the development of a trading center, such as excellent supply of fruits and vegetable produce; accessible to service facilities; good road condition; supportive community; and compatible land use,” Saturnino Mejia of the National Development Co. (NDC) said.
The site of the 5-hectare APTC-Davao is a property under the NDC, which has granted the Davao City government to utilize the area as its counterpart.
Meanwhile, Quitain stressed the need to ensure the quality of products to be sold in the center to sustain its operations.
“This is our challenge to our farmers to produce products with A-1 quality. The people that will run the facility should also be competent. [After all], it is not the facility but the people who can make this trading center a success,” he said.