SouthCot set to build two Bagsakan Centers to help preserve farmers’ produce

The provincial government of South Cotabato is set to build two Bagsakan Centers in a bid to focus on agriculture development and help market the farmers’ produce.
During the Provincial Development Council meeting held today, Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said, these two Bagsakan Centers will be built at the municipality of Surallah to service the Upper Valley area to include the towns of Banga, Norala, Sto. Niño, Lake Sebu, and Tboli.
The other one will be situated at Tupi town to include the towns of Polomolok and Tampakan for the Lower Valley area.
Governor Tamayo said, there is a need to build a cold storage facility for these centers so that the high-value crops of the farmers will not readily spoil.
However, due to the high cost of the cold storage facility which could reach at least Php100 million, the PDC approved the proposal to find funding agencies that could finance the project, while the planning office prepares the feasibility study.
At Tupi town, they have readied a building in a two-hectare land as the Bagsakan center and a standby generator set. What is lacking is the cold storage facility.
“We depend on agriculture as our main source of livelihood, this should be given utmost priority and the rest will follow,” Tamayo said,
Tamayo explained the putting–up of these centers outside Koronadal City will help decongest the emerging traffic situation in the city, and the same is true in General Santos City where a Bagsakan center is also situated.
He added, other resources such as energy, road networks, and quality human capital should also be taken cared-off in preparation for this project.
However, other aspects of development should not be left behind as health and education is also given priority in the province.
“Here at PDC, we ensure that all sectors are well represented to voice their concerns. “ He added,
Aside from these facilities, Governor Tamayo also assured that as agricultural development thrived in the province, residents will be given utmost priority in employment.
“This is where quality education comes in, as we will produce qualified human resources to fill in the manpower requirement for more agricultural industries.” He said,