Modern agri-trading post to rise in Irawan

The city government is completing a 3-storey building in Barangay Irawan that will serve as a modern agricultural trading hub for agricultural products of farmers delivering their goods for trading from rural areas. City agriculture supervisor Enera A. Tuibeo told Palawan News the facility, which is halfway through its completion, is part of an ongoing project to develop the 13-hectare agri-trading complex in Irawan for the benefit primarily of local farmers. She said the facility, which costs P50 million, is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the city and the provincial governments. The DA has allocated P30 million while the city has a counterpart fund of P20 million and P10 million from the province. Tuibeo said the facility, with a total floor area of 2,300 square meters, is expected to open by December this year. Tuibeo said that the facility will be managed by the Association of the Puerto Princesa Agri Producers and Marketing Association under the supervision of the City Agriculture office. “Nakita ng Department of Agriculture through Agricultural Marketing Division ‘yong pangangailangan ng farmers ng mas malaki pa at mas malawak na area kung saan ‘ yong farmers ay bubuhos ng mga produkto,” she said. She explained that Palawan farmers are often facing difficulties selling and marketing their products and are often disadvantaged in the dealings with traders. Agriculture officials said the 13-hectare complex will house a public market, terminal, training center, organic composting facility, cinemas, parking area, recreation center and a dormitory. “Ang 2nd floor niya ay office at viewing area. Ang building ay malaki talaga parang mall. Aakyat ‘yong mga customers tapos titingin sila kung anong product ang nandoon. Meron ding organic products trading post sa loob ng building,” Irene L. Dalonos of the city agriculture office said. Architect Honesto Teves of the city engineering office told Palawan News the construction of the facility began in November 2017 and is expected to be completed September this year at the latest.