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Friday, April 28, 2006
GenSan public market eyed as model market
WHERE in Soccsksargen region can you find the freshest fishes, meat and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables at fairly reasonable prices?
No less than the evaluators of the ongoing national search for model markets or "Huwarang Palengke 2006" were convinced that local consumers need not go to far away farms and fish landings to get a taste of the freshest and cheapest food products, but just take a P6 tricycle ride straight to the city central public market in General Santos.
"We're really very impressed with what we saw. Consumers here have the liberty to take their pick from a wide array of fresh food products without worrying about draining their pockets later on," said Nemelita Sungcaya, head evaluator for the "Huwarang Palengke 2006" search.
Sungcaya, head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Agribusiness Investment and Entrepreneurship Development division, and party arrived last week to assess the city central public market, which is Soccsksargen's entry to the nationwide search for model markets in regional centers and urban centers.
The evaluation team is composed of representatives from the departments of Trade and Industry, Health, Interior and Local Government and DA's National Meat Inspection Service, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Sungcaya said that in terms of size, the public market here might be compared with the mega markets of Makati, Pasig and Marikina.
"It also has a working cleanliness and sanitation system as proven by its clean surroundings and basic facilities," she said.
Glen Gonzales, city market administrator, said the city's central public market was planned to complement the city's nearby central business district.
He said they have maintained various regulations and systems such as the regular calibration of weights and inspection of the quality and safety of food products as part of their efforts to protect local consumers.
Gonzales said public market's major attraction is its wide fish section that features various fresh marine products, which include the city's famed tuna.
The market has privately maintained cold storage facilities to keep the freshness of various commodities.
The "Huwarang Palengke 2006" search was launched to recognize public and private markets that sell quality and safe food products at affordable prices serve as the main outlets of farm and fishery products carried through the fast lanes.
Sungcaya said they would select 10 model wet markets or five each from the public and private markets in the regional entries.
She said the winning markets will receive a grant worth P500,000 each for the improvement of facilities or other projects based the proposal that they would submit to the search committee. (Allen V. Estabillo)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(April 24, 2006 issue)
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