LAOAG CITY – The first and largest agricultural trading center in Ilocos Norte is expected to start its dry run this March after the project was fully completed, local officials said on Wednesday.
Located in Barangay Bil-loca, Batac City, the new “Bagsakan Center” stands on a 1,312.5-square-meter lot near the Batac City public market. Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos shared in an interview that the provincial government is currently finalizing coordination with the Batac City government to begin operating the facility.
The project, funded by the Department of Agriculture and worth PHP30 million, includes PHP26 million for the construction of the building, PHP3.5 million for a hauling truck, and PHP500,000 for marketing equipment such as weighing scales, plastic crates, and pallets.
Once operational, the trading center will provide a dedicated space for accredited farmers’ associations and cooperatives. It aims to help farmers reduce transportation costs, promote locally produced goods, and give them direct access to institutional buyers.
Batac City Mayor Mark Christian Chua said the facility is already equipped with basic amenities, including a water supply system and comfort rooms. He expressed hope that the trading center will help boost the local economy, especially by expanding market opportunities for farmers.
To further improve the facility, additional funding from the city government and the Department of Agriculture will be allocated this year to develop road networks, a warehouse, and a cold storage facility.
Meanwhile, farmer-engineer John Lei Ganiron from Barangay Ben-agan expressed optimism about the project. He said farmers stand to gain the most if the trading center operates effectively, adding that they hope it will help reduce reliance on middlemen in selling their produce.
NPO News Team | Philippines News Agency – PR
