ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of residents have benefited on Saturday from the one-day “TienDA sa BFAR” initiated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in this southern port city.
Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR-9 director, said the conduct of the activity is in line with the agency’s 55th fish conservation week, which is from September 17 to 21.
Eight exhibitors, including the National Food Authority (NFA), have joined the conduct of the TienDA held at the compound of BFAR in this city. Among the products sold at cheaper prices were fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and process foods.
The NFA sold the government-subsidized rice at PHP27 a kilo. A maximum of five kilos is sold to an individual.
Velayo said they invited the NFA to join the TienDA activity to provide an opportunity to poor families to buy cheaper rice.
Asha Tasi, a resident of Barangay Sta. Barbara, was elated that BFAR has conducted the activity since she was able to buy rice and shrimps at cheaper prices.
“It’s cheaper here, I hope they will hold again similar activity since it is of big help especially to those who have less in life,” Tasi added.
TienDA is a new marketing scheme which ensures that farmers’ products can be directly sold to consumers in urban areas without the intervention of middlemen.
It was initiated by Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (R. G. Antonet Go/PNA)
