The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has partnered with the southern municipality of Argao in Cebu province for the creation of an agricultural trading post that will help farmers market their produce.

The Agricultural Trading Post and Enterprise Development initiative is part of the PHP3-million poverty alleviation program funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in partnership with NAPC.

In a statement on Wednesday, NAPC announced that its head, Secretary and Lead Convenor Lawyer Noel Felongco, and Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo have recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the “Poverty Reduction through Rural Development (PRRD): NAPC-LGU Sambayanihan Serbisyong Sambayanan Prototype Projects”.

Of the amount committed, PHP2 million is allocated for the trading post construction and equipment procurement; PHP500,000 for hauling support and vehicle provision; and PHP500,000 for capital infusion relative to the conduct of livelihood projects in the area. For its part, the local government unit (LGU) of Argao will provide a lot with a minimum land area of 150 square meters.

After a year of operation, the enterprise will be turned over by the Argao municipal government to the community-beneficiaries.

The Argao LGU through the newly created Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) headed by its mayor and vice mayor and chaired by a representative from partner civil society organizations will assist NAPC and its Ka-Sambayanihan volunteers in the implementation of the project including the provision of logistical and administrative support.

On the other hand, Felongco said that NAPC will provide policy guidelines and direction and coordinate with the LGU to ensure that everything is on track, as well as monitor project implementation and recommend measures, if necessary.

It will also assist in the evaluation of the Municipal Development Plan, particularly in the delivery of services intended to reduce poverty, and coordinate with the concerned national government agencies on how to address the gaps identified, he said.

The official added that Argao is one of the priority areas in NAPC’s prototype projects with Pagcor which include Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya; Majayjay, Laguna; Valladolid, Negros Oriental; Calbayog City, Samar; Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and Talipao, Sulu.

The NAPC was established to serve as the coordinating and advisory body for the implementation of the government’s social reform and poverty alleviation agenda. It has developed the Sambayanihan: SerbisyongSambayanan, a five-year development framework for 2019-2023 to provide guidance in carrying out a climate-responsive, culture- and gender-sensitive, and convergent and participatory anti-poverty strategy. (PNA)