The Association of Negros Producers (ANP) inaugurated its Bugana Pavilion at the South Capitol Road in Bacolod City on Thursday, August 18, which will showcase small farmers’ produce.
ANP president Arlene Infante, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte – 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena cut the ribbon at the inauguration.
The agri-sector is the latest category to be added to the ANP membership Infante, said.
When the ANP engaged with the Department of Science and Technology in the implementation of their Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program, its Kabankalan project won a cash price in the regional category, she said.
Infante said they opted to use the cash prize, with permission of the DOST and the Kabankalan farmers, to build the pavilion next to the ANP showroom in Bacolod to maximize the economic benefits that a highly urbanized market can provide the farmers.
Diaz said the ANP programs for farmers are not only solving economic and health problems, but peace and order by making sure progress trickles down to the poor. This ensures that development is inclusive and sustainable, he said.
He said ANP is a priority of the provincial government, which provided P5 million for the construction of its showroom on its property at the South Capitol Road.
ANP began working with small farmers through its OURFood (Optimizing Up-scaling Roles in the Food supply chain) Program in 2012 then led by the late Marivic Rio, Infante said.
Having farmers in the membership ranks of ANP enabled the association to partner with government and non-government agencies in the province, she said.
The farmers are from Kabankalan, Silay, San Carlos and Manapla.
Infante said the provincial government has also engaged ANP to develop communities in rebel cleared areas through livelihood development.
TRADE FAIR
Meanwhile, Maryann Colmenares, ANP vice president for advocacy, said they are set for the return of their 36th Negros Trade Fair (NTF) to Glorietta in Makati City on September 20 to 25.
The theme of this year’s trade fair is “Hidlaw”, as it is returning to Makati after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Colmenares said.
“We are excited to feature our new countryside community-based artisans, developed and empowered through our engagement with the Peace and Order Council of Negros Occidental, new brands born and developed during the pandemic and innovative collections from existing producers who had all the time to be inspired during the hiatus,” she said.
On top of the regular booths at the trade fair, the Negros Occidental local government units will also be provided an area to promote tourism and top products of their areas, said Colmenares, who is co-chair of the trade fair.
To reach out to their buyers outside Metro Manila, ANP will also launch another virtual trade fair, she added.*