The first store for the products of agrarian reform beneficiaries called CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) Tindahan was opened here Wednesday.

Department of Trade and Industry Ilocos Region (DTI-1) assistant director Natalia Dalaten, in an interview, said the project is in partnership with the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Asingan, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Carabao Center, and the local government.

She said products on sale are not only from agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from Pangasinan but the entire Ilocos region.

“DTI will consolidate the products from other provinces and bring it to the store while those in Pangasinan will bring it directly here. It is affordable and will only have minimal additional costs to cover the operational expenses of the store,” she said.

She assured a fair price of the products for both the farmers or workers and the consumers.

The store is located at the ground floor of the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative building of Barangay Bantog here.

DTI-1 director Merlie Membrere said 70 ARBOs from all over the region have placed their products, both food and non-food items, in the store.

“The ARBOs products are prepared and competitive; these are the best products,” she said.

Membrere said the store would provide additional income for farmers and workers.

CARP Ilocos Region program manager Ferdinand Aparri said Pangasinan was chosen as the pilot area in the country for the CARP Tindahan as the regional officials were quick in accepting the project and confident of its successful operation.

Asingan Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. said this would boost, not only the business operations of the cooperative, but also its image as an outstanding cooperative and a good model for new cooperatives. (PNA)