The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is bringing its mobile market to interior villages in Leyte province this week to make protein-rich food available to non-coastal communities.

The initiative dubbed as “Love Lab-as (fresh)” sells not just aquatic products, but also meat, vegetables, root crops and other natural food meant to boost ones’ immune system. It is a one flatbed truck to serve as a fish stall and a refrigerated van to keep the fish fresh.

“This aims to bring fresh fish produced of our fisher folk directly to consumers. This market on wheels will be going first in interior towns of Leyte to assist these local government units in providing alternative protein sources other than usual relief goods,” BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

This week, the market on wheels is scheduled to visit the towns of Sta. Fe, Pastrana, Jaro, Tabontabon, Dagami, Burauen, La Paz and Julita in Leyte province. Buyers are required to wear face masks and strictly observe social distancing.

The enhanced community quarantine due to coronavirus pandemic has deprived many residents, especially in upland communities, from buying fresh and affordable marine products due to restricted movement and lack of public transport, according to BFAR. (PNA)