THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it opened a direct-from-farmers store in Taguig City as part of continuing measures to offer low-cost farm products to the public.
The store, under the DA’s “TienDA Malasakit” brand, opened Sunday at Taguig Lakeshore Hall in Bicutan, in partnership with the city government.
Secretary Emmanuel F. Piño said at least 30 farmers and fishermen’s organizations will sell their products at farm gate prices, including tuna and other goods from General Santos City.
Tomato farmers from Kalayaan, Laguna plan to bring three tons of tomatoes to the Bicutan market, while shrimp of the vannamei variety will be sold by growers from all over the country, while Central Luzon tilapia suppliers and Pangasinan milkfish growers will also participate.
The National Food Authority (NFA) has allocated 1000 bags of rice to be sold at P27 per kilo while farmers from Central Luzon will sell well-milled rice at P39 per kilo.
In a social media post, Mr. Piñol said: “The program is expected to be replicated in other cities and towns in Metro Manila to stabilize the supply and prices of basic food commodities.”
The DA also operated a TienDA Malasakit Store in Muntinlupa last week. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

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