The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) launched the Agribusiness Meat Express Program at the CDA Grounds on April 26, 2022.
The CDA and the DA, in cooperation with North Star Meat Merchants, Inc., launched the Agribusiness Meat Express Program that aims to manage food inflation by offering customers more choices for quality, safe, and affordable meat products and at the same time create an additional source of income for cooperatives
Dr. Ramon C. Yedra, Officer-in-Charge of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), mentioned that the selling price of the items in this program offered to the public is comparatively cheaper compared to prevailing market price. He also mentioned that considering the products are safe and of good quality, the consuming public will surely benefit from this program.
CDA Chairperson Joseph B. Encabo mentioned the importance of cooperation with other key social sectors for the success of the program. “These are the images that work in the progress and development of the community where we belong” said Usec. Encabo during the event pertaining to all units in the society joining hands thru whole-of-nation approach.
Part of the launching is the signing of the contract of agreement between the North Star Meat Merchants, Inc. and the Kapit-Bisig Multipurpose Cooperative (KBMPC), the first cooperative beneficiary under the said program. The principal signatory for the KBMPC is its Chairperson Mr. Rodrigo I. Rebello and for the North Star Meat Merchants is its Chairperson and CEO Anthony Ng. Meanwhile, witnessing for CDA is Asec. Virgilio R. Lazaga and Dr. Ramon C. Yedra for DA-AMAS
Aside from the officials in government agencies, the occasion was also attended by representatives from nearby barangays namely Brgy. Immaculate Conception and Brgy. San Martin de Porres. Representatives from the Immaculate Conception Parish Development Cooperative also attended the activity.
Asec. Virgilio Lazaga, in his closing message said that the collaboration of all partners in this program supports the national government’s initiative to bring affordable food and other commodities to the table of ordinary Filipino families.
(-CPDAD)
