THE "Ayta Na Market" formally opened inside Clark Freeport, featuring stalls of indigenous products and crafts organized through the Department of Agriculture (DA), Clark Development Corporation and partner Aeta communities.
Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Y. Evangelista along with Regional Technical Director Eduardo Lapuz, Jr. and DA-Regional Field Office-Central Luzon-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Fernando Lorenzo attended the opening of Ayta Na Market on CM Recto Avenue, MA Roxas Highway, Clark.
Simultaneous with the opening of the "Ayta Na Market," certificates and financial grants were also given to selected farmers and local government units.
The "Ayta Na Market" and financial grant aimed to help indigenous farmers and produces strengthen their market linkages.
Everyone is invited to head to the newly opened Ayta Na Market every Friday to Sunday. Various local products are available for sale in the said market.
Following its soft opening last October 15, 2021, a total of 79 individuals from the Aeta Vendors Association have already been selling local products at a designated area provided by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).
During the event, CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel R. Gaerlan mentioned that the market will help in boosting local tourism here.
“This will hopefully become a tourist attraction dito sa Clark. So maaaring may nawala sa amin in terms of revenue dito sa lease na hindi namin masisingil sa kanila, pero ito naman ay magiging attraction sa ating mga turista kaya babalik pa rin dahil mas maraming turista na ang pupunta sa Clark at pupunta dito,” he added.
(We may have lost something in terms of revenue in the lease that we don’t charge them with, but in turn, this will be an attraction so that more tourists will still come to Clark.)
CDC Chairman Edgardo Pamintuan was represented by his son, Edgardo Pamintuan Jr. who shared the Chairman’s message.
“I would like to congratulate the CSR Department and all the men and women who made this project a reality. Finally, our Indigenous People (IPs) will have a sustainable livelihood in order to further improve their living conditions and at the same time have a suitable business enterprise area for them,” Pamintuan said.
Various products available at the Ayta Na market include fresh produce, seafood, meat products, souvenir items and plants that came from direct suppliers, sold at lower prices.
Project sponsors
Meanwhile, Manila Water Foundation (MWF), one of the sponsors of the project, has put up a handwashing facility within the vicinity of the market.
Other sponsors that supported the corporate social responsibility initiative are Mandasig Farmers Association, Inc., Bambang Multipurpose Cooperative, Tabon San Jose Farmers Association, Inc., Paroba Livelihood and Business Association and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Porac.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), MWF, Clark Water Corporation, Globe Telecom and Clark Casino Foundation also supported the said initiative.
The Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) also pledged to help in the construction of permanent structures for the modern design of the Ayta Na Market through the Pagcor heritage funds. Gaerlan also thanked Pagcor Chairperson Andrea Domingo.
Representatives from partner firms and agencies including DA Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs Kristine Evangelista, MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal, MWF Regional Sales Head Jaime Mendoza, Clark Water Corporation General Manager Christina Cruz, and Globe Telecom Cluster Sales Head Alex Amado were also present during the event.
CDC Vice President for Admin and Finance Engr. Mariza Mandocdoc, CDC Vice President for Security Services Group PBGen. Sheldon Jacaban, CDC Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel Narciso, and CDC External Affairs Assistant Manager Ronald Antonio also attended.
Indigenous Person Mandatory Representative Spokesperson Ruvelane Margarito also attended the said activity on behalf of Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo.
The Ayta Na market is open daily, with its wet market section open from Friday to Sunday and the plant section open from Monday to Sunday, including holidays.