SOON TO RISE IN BATAC: ILOCOS NORTE AGRICULTURAL
TRADING CENTER. Provincial officials led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew
Manotoc and City of Batac officials led by Mayor Albert D. Chua, alongside key
officials from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO 1),
led by executive director Annie Bares and National Dairy Authority
Administrator, Dr. Gabriel Lagamayo lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the
Ilocos Norte Agricultural Trading Center. The project is a collaborative effort
of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, DA RFO 1 and the City Government
of Batac. It is a keystone initiative of Manotoc, and funded by the DA RFO 1.
The City Government’s counterpart is the land at Brgy. Bil-loca, conveniently
located near the Batac Public Market. The project aims to establish a
centralized trading hub for agricultural products in the province. It promises
to offer a safer, more efficient and hygienic environment for trading, most
especially for our local farmers. Manotoc, in his message, emphasized that the
facility will not only benefit farmers of Batac but is also expected to serve
farmers from various towns across the province. This project is another
testament to the commitment of the provincial and local government to further
empower and uplift the agricultural sector. (Photo courtesy of CMO Batac)