Cebu to roll out ‘People’s Food Centers’

Local

FROM roadside stalls under trees to planned indoor market hubs, Cebu is shifting how farmers and fisherfolk sell their goods with a P13.3-million initiative aimed at bringing producers directly closer to consumers.

The Cebu Provincial Government is rolling out “People’s Food Centers” in Danao City, Carcar City, and the town of Medellin to directly connect farmers and fisherfolk with consumers and improve local food distribution.

The initiative will provide designated selling areas where agricultural and fishery products are sold straight to the public, removing middlemen that often reduce producers’ income.

Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said the project is designed to strengthen grassroots livelihoods while improving food access and affordability.

“Mismo jud ang mag-uuma jud ang mamaligya, dili ta muagig middleman,” Saragena said.

He said the centers also aim to address the difficult conditions faced by vendors.

“Usahay ana raba na sila sa punoan sa lubi, maghapin rag sako. Mag-uwan, louy kaayo. At least diri naa sila inside the room,” he added.

Saragena said vendors will not be charged rental fees.

He stressed that stall assignments will be implemented on a rotation basis to allow more farmers and fisherfolk to participate, noting that no single vendor will permanently own a slot or table and that unused spaces will be reassigned to others who have produce to sell.

Only farmers and fisherfolk will be allowed to sell in the centers, while traders and middlemen are strictly prohibited.

“Dili pwede, bawal jud na kay ang purpose ani nga project is mag-uuma maoy mamaligya sa iyang produkto,” Saragena said.

Local agriculture officials said they will verify whether sellers are genuine farmers or fisherfolk or simply middlemen.

Each center is expected to accommodate around 30 sellers daily, composed of about 20 farmers and 10 fisherfolk depending on product availability.

Local agriculture offices will oversee daily operations and ensure that only eligible vendors are allowed to participate.

The project aims to narrow the gap between farmgate and market prices, enabling consumers to access more affordable goods while ensuring fairer income for producers.

Funding for the initiative comes from the Provincial Agriculture Office, with each center costing about P4.46 million. Host local government units will provide the land and manage day-to-day operations.

The Carcar facility will be located in Barangay Poblacion III near the public market, while the Danao center will be built in Barangay Maslog to help ease congestion in the city center.

Another center will be established in Medellin, which will still be decided. Construction is ongoing and is targeted for completion within 100 days.

The initiative is part of Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s broader food security and livelihood program, with plans to expand similar centers to other local government units in the next budget cycle.(MyTVCebu)