Supermarket owners want new centers for farm produce

Supermarket owners Thursday said the Department of Agriculture should set up bagsakan centers for agriculture produce where they can buy their needs on a regular basis. These centers should be one-stop trading posts near the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and another in Metro Manila, said the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association. "We are interested because we are having problems sourcing fresh produce," said association president Steven T. Cua at the sidelines of the Food & Drinks Asia 2011 which opened Thursday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The locations named by the group are accessible to wholesalers and members of the association, said Cua. The association alleged that the current trading posts in Balintawak market and Divisoria are people by unfriendly elements like robbers and dishonest traders. More bagsakan centers will serve as a stable market for farm produce and help farmers earn a steady income, the association said. Members of the association as well as hotels and restaurants have committed to patronize, sell, and use local agriculture and fishery products after the Philippine government in July asked them to do so, Cua said. — VS, GMA News