WHAT started as a simple experiment of combining the local market, online selling and delivery services during the enhanced community quarantine has grown to seemingly a new normal beyond lockdowns and the pandemic with more and more stakeholders pitching in their time, know-how and resources to bring affordable and quality produce closer and more accessible to the community.
I hate to admit but my market visits are rare or close to none at all. Not that I don't want to but as a restaurateur, we have purchasers assigned to do that task and for our personal consumption, we always end up going to supermarkets mostly at night when were off from work. So, the idea of "Market to Home" services sparked more interest in me when I read Ms. Maria Elena Catajan's report on this kind of service being pushed by Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan through her "Market to Home Delivery Ordinance" and supported by Mayor Benjamin Magalong. The ordinance was crafted to ease the burden of marketing and standardize fees to avoid over charging, the report says. This was done by giving opportunity for the vendors at the city market to deliver and sell their produce to various barangays, especially during the lockdown when market schedule is strictly regulated, and public transport were halted to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
It was on this premise that the Baguio Market to Home Delivery Association (BMHDA) was institutionalized with the induction of its officers on September 30, 2020 at the Grand Sierra Pines Hotel. Inducted into office by City Vice Mayor, Hon. Faustino Atiwag Olowan were Marilou Sambrana as president; Vice president, Angelita Gayados; Secretary, Arlene C. Emmon; Treasurer, Dyan Bayongasan; Auditor, Arlene Fernandez; Sergeant at Arms, Moana Eckwey and Edwin Liclican and PRO, Brenda Sudaypan. Just a few months running with 25 active members, the association has served Barangays Gibraltar, Lualhati, Outlook, Pucsusan, Pacdal, Salud Mitra, Saint Joseph, Dominican, Victoria Village, Lower and Upper Dagsian, Proper Lourdes, Gabriela Silang, Crystal Cave and Irisan rain or shine.
A commitment they have forged with the city to provide a complete line of quality products closer to the community via setting up rolling stores in barangays on a specified schedule with no delivery fee and no minimum quantity required making their prices at par or even cheaper than the market price.
My curiosity took me to one of their latest offering at the Grand Sierra Pines Hotel garden on November 11, 2020. Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan introduced the project herself to the community and other stakeholders, fervently showing her support to the success of the association who according to her started with delivering the said services in the barangays to now exploring other establishments as venue for their market to home encounter. If this project has impacted the community in one way or the other, it did the same to its members. Secretary Arlene Emmon or fondly called "Lola" by people close to her recalls how she was able to help her relatives from the province to market their products to hotel and restaurants and direct consumers. Probably a far less lucrative job as compared to a supervisory position in a hotel here and abroad but a more fulfilling one. The synergy among the vendors cannot be denied as sacrifices are made in reaching out to a needy market with a vision that someday, showcasing local produce and products will soon be a tourist drawer as well.
On top of the various products displayed from the freshest lowland and highland fruits and veggies; fish and meat; rice and eggs, frozen food products to succulent plants is the experience of reliving the simple pleasures of drinking rice wine / Tapuey using a coconut shell or what the Ibalois call "shoyo" and fresh green salads served in banana trunks, an adaptation on how the highlanders serve their food in Cañaos.
More than getting a good deal that day, and listening to the product presentation of the vendors, everyone was enjoined to perform a communal thanksgiving dance together with the members of the BMHDA.
For barangay rolling store schedules and membership inquiries to the Baguio Market to Home Delivery Association (BMHDA), you may contact President Marilou Sambrana (09098965214) or Secretary Arlene C. Emmon (09988649268).
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