FARMERS’ TRADING POST. Lawyer Noel K. Felongco (left), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary and Lead Convenor, with Argao Cebu Municipal Mayor Allan M. Sesaldo after the recent memorandum of agreement signing for the creation of an agricultural trading post under the NAPC Sambayanihan Serbisyong Sambayanan’s Poverty Reduction through Rural Development (PRRD) program. (NAPC photo)
MANILA – The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has partnered with the Municipality of Argao in Cebu for the creation of an agricultural trading post that will help farmers market their produce to boost their income.
The Agricultural Trading Post and Enterprise Development initiative is part of the PHP3-million poverty alleviation program funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in partnership with NAPC.
NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor, lawyer Noel K. Felongco, and Argao Mayor Allan M. Sesaldo signed the Memorandum of Agreement in late March for the implementation of the “Poverty Reduction through Rural Development (PRRD): NAPC-LGU Sambayanihan Serbisyong Sambayanan Prototype Projects”.
Of the amount committed, PHP2 million is allocated for the following: the trading post-construction and equipment procurement; P500,000 for hauling support and vehicle provision; and P500,000 for capital infusion relative to the conduct of livelihood projects in the area.
For its part, Argao local government unit (LGU) will provide a lot with a minimum land area of 150 square meters.
After a year of operations, the enterprise will be turned over by the Argao LGU to the community beneficiaries.
The Argao LGU, through the newly created Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) headed by the Mayor and vice-chaired by a representative from partner Civil Society Organizations, will assist NAPC and its Ka-Sambayanihan Volunteers in the implementation of the project including the provision of logistical and administrative support.
On the other hand, NAPC will provide policy guidelines and direction and coordinate with the LGU to ensure that everything is on track as well as monitor project implementation and recommend measures, if necessary.
It will also assist in the evaluation of the Municipal Development Plan, particularly in the delivery of services intended to reduce poverty, and coordinate with the concerned national government agencies on how to address the gaps identified.
Argao is one of the priority areas in NAPC’s prototype projects with PAGCOR which include Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya; Majayjay, Laguna; Valladolid, Negros Oriental; Calbayog City, Samar; Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and Talipao, Sulu.
The NAPC was established to serve as the coordinating and advisory body for the implementation of the social reform and poverty alleviation agenda.
It has developed the Sambayanihan: SerbisyongSambayanan, a five-year development framework for 2019-2023 to provide guidance in carrying out a climate-responsive, culture- and gender-sensitive, and convergent and participatory anti-poverty strategy. (PR)
