Officials and residents in Ilocos Norte welcomed the opening of the first and largest agricultural trading center in Barangay Bil-loca, Batac City, on Thursday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) funded the PHP30-million project, which provides dedicated space for accredited farmers’ associations and cooperatives to reduce transport costs, promote local products, and connect them directly with institutional buyers.

Wilfredo Valdez, a farmer-leader from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, said the newly opened trading center inspires them to plant more high-value products that are in demand in the market.

“The opening of the center is a big deal for us farmers in the province. We now have an accessible place to market our products,” Valdez said in an interview.

In her message during the blessing and inauguration, Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos thanked and congratulated the farmers for their dedication to ensuring food security.

“This is an answered prayer for all of us. The center will open greater opportunities for our farmers and producers by connecting them directly with traders,” she said.

Araneta-Marcos assured that the provincial government will continue to support and strengthen the agricultural sector and uplift the lives of farmers.

Located on a 1,716-square-meter trading space near the Batac City public market, the center is also equipped with a hauling truck and marketing equipment such as weighing scales, plastic crates, and pallets for the convenience of farmers and traders. (PNA)