THE Bacolod Barter Community (BBC) has partnered with Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City for the establishment of barter stations inside the mall for safer and more convenient exchange of goods.
Lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, founder of BBC, said the alternative place for exchanging bartered items at the mall’s activity center will start Saturday, July 4, 2020.
Batapa-Sigue said there will be at least 30 barter stations at the mall on weekends and at least three barter stations during weekdays accessible from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“These barter stations will serve as alternative meet up venues for the members,” she said, adding that the deals will still be through the Bacolod Barter Community Facebook page.
The use of the barter stations is strictly subject to mall safety rules in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines.
These included “no mask, no entry,” hand hygiene and physical distancing.
There shall be no entry of senior citizens, pregnant women, or those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks.
Batapa-Sigue said as part of BBC rules, no minors are allowed to barter.
“Exchanges shall be ideally only up to 30 minutes per pair, BBC will also have a help desk during weekends,” she added.
The BBC was founded on May 8, while Bacolod City and Negros Occidental were still under enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine, respectively.
It has effectively connected thousands of Bacolodnons and Negrenses across communities during this pandemic.
For barely two months, it has already grown to over 230,000 members.
Batapa-Sigue earlier said, today, modern barter and trade is said to have evolved considerably to become an effective method of increasing sales, conserving cash, moving inventory and making use of excess production capacity for businesses around the world.
Barter has taken on a new meaning amidst the pandemic. It has become a platform for people to find what they need and to let go of things that they do not need anymore.
Also, it helps the environment by making sure that things are used and not just wasted. It also allows members to raise resources using items so they can give out to communities in need, Batapa-Sigue said.
“The Digital Age has greatly boosted humanitarian advocacies today, allowing people to create more meaningful impact to their communities in the face of global crisis with the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit,” the founder added.