Baguio City, Aug. 24 – Even on a rainy day because of Tropical Depression Ineng, the launching of the First MinDA Fruit Festival in this city proved to be a success as local consumers gathered for a free taste of the fruits in an impromptu media presentation at the Burnham Park.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the highly perishable fruits like Marang, Rambutan and Lanzones will be sold in the fruit stalls in the market today.
The bigger bulk of the 22-ton fruit shipment including Durian and Pomelo, will be sold by the vendors on Session Road which will be closed to vehicular traffic tomorrow, Sunday.
The vendors agreed to set Suggested Retail Prices for the fruits much lower than the prevailing market price, according to Mayor Magalong.
Mayor Magalong and the Mindanao Development Authority Chairman, Sec. Manny Piñol, agreed to assist Mindanao Fruit Farmers Groups and the Baguio City Fruit Vendors forge a trading agreement to sustain the program.
MinDA will also introduce other Mindanao products like Tuna and high value sea products in Northern Luzon through Baguio City.
Mayor Magalong said the City Government will establish an Economic Enterprise Office to handle the distribution of the products from Mindanao to the diffetent vendors groups.
The Baguio City Economic Enterprise Office will also identify products which could be sold to Mindanao markets.
The program is expected to benefit both Mindanao farmers and Northern Luzon consumers
(Photos by Diane Faith Garcia)
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