BATANGAS CITY (PIA) — The newly opened Grains Terminal and Trading Facility of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative is set to enhance the agricultural supply chain and create economic opportunities in Batangas and neighboring provinces.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the facility on Thursday, March 13. The facility was established under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project with a ₱270 million investment from the World Bank.
According to the DA, the project will engage in the storage, procurement and trading of yellow corn, which is the major raw material for animal feed production.
“It will also address rising agricultural input prices, boost national corn production and increase the incomes of hog and poultry raisers and yellow corn farmers,” the agency stated.
Highlighting SIDC’s success, President Marcos emphasized the crucial role of cooperatives in strengthening food security and improving the livelihoods of local farmers and fisherfolk.
Mio Takada, World Bank Task Team Leader, said the subproject goes beyond increasing agricultural productivity, as it also creates numerous job opportunities and provides stable employment in the region.
“This collective effort will lead to the development of a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, capable of withstanding challenges and adapting to changing conditions,” Takada said.
Citing the facility’s importance in strengthening the corn supply chain, SIDC President Dr. Angelito Bagui thanked the government and the World Bank for putting up the grains terminal and trading facility.
“Malaking tulong ito, una, sa hanapbuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Mabubuksan din ang kaisipan ng mga magsasaka kung paano ang tamang proseso ng pagtatanim ng mais,” Bagui said. (This is a big help, first, to the livelihood of our countrymen. It will also open the minds of farmers to the proper process of planting corn.)
He added that the facility would help farmers avoid price manipulation by middlemen, ensuring fair trade practices.
Batangas City Mayor Beverly Dimacuha recognized the facility’s impact on local farmers.
“Malaki ang magiging tulong nito sa ating mga lokal na magsasaka. Bagama’t kakaunti pa ang nagtatanim ng mais, patuloy ang aming paghikayat sa pamamagitan ng mga programa ng pamahalaang lungsod upang mas marami pang magsasaka ang maengganyong magtanim nito,” Dimacuha explained. (This will be a big help to our local farmers. Although there are still few who plant corn, we continue to encourage them through the programs of the city government so that more farmers will be encouraged to plant it.)
Grace Faraon, President of the Batangas City Corn Growers Association, also welcomed the establishment of the grains terminal, stressing its role in providing proper drying and storage facilities.
“Makukuha namin ang tamang pagtuyo ng mais, tamang imbakan, at tamang presyo, na magpapataas ng kita at antas ng pamumuhay ng magmamais sa kasalukuyan,” she said. (We will get the proper drying of corn, proper storage, and fair prices, which will increase the income and standard of living of corn farmers at present.)
She also highlighted Batangas City’s advantage as home to numerous feed mills, ensuring a steady market for yellow corn.
Faraon expressed optimism that SIDC, with the support of the national government, will introduce more sustainable interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on imports. (BPDC, PIA Batangas)