The change in the operation schedule of the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) from twice a week last year to seven days a week starting January 8 has ushered in a surge of buyers looking for affordable vegetables and fruits, farmers said.
Datu Jimmy Bangunan, President of the Matigsalug Manobo Central Mindanao Association Incorporated, told the City Information Office on Thursday that they found difficulty attracting customers at first but today, more customers are flocking to the DFTC to buy their goods.
“Naanad na ang customers, daghan ang suki sa gulay, gani sinako man gud ang ginakuha sa truck. Nakalibre pud mi sa pag travel sa mga gulay kung wala’y libre dili gyud mi kasustenar. Karon mahurot-hurot na gyud ang among baligya, ang nabilin itagtag nalang pud namo. Kasagaran namaligya sa palengke sa DFTC mamalit (The customers are now used to coming here, we have many regular customers now as sacks of our products are hauled by the trucks. We are able to avail of the free transport of our vegetables, if it is not free we really cannot sustain. Our vegetables get sold easily and the leftovers we sell, them to others. Most of those who sell in the markets buy from DFTC),” Bangunan said.
“Sauna nagtanom mi og brocolli, cauliflower, cabbage–mamroblema mi kung asa namo ibaligya, karon dili na, (In the past, when we plant brocolli, cauliflower or cabbage, we have difficulty finding buyers, today, it is a different case),” Bangunan said.
Aguila Farmers Association President Maricel Legaspina said that the free hauling service provided by the City Agriculturist Office helped them a lot as it made bringing their produce to the market easier.
She said that since the DFTC is now open seven days a week with twice a week hauling, more farmers from their association can sell their goods on time. It also helps that the transport is free as it reduces their cost. The profit from their goods is also ensured with the rising number of customers.
“Naghinay-hinay na ang mga tao nga naga-adto sa Taboan, among mga gulay wala na’y mabilin, ang among mga prutas usually naa pero mga two kilos nalang ana (More people are coming to the Taboan and most of our vegetables are now easily sold. There is a small volume of fruits that sometimes remain unsold),” Legaspina said.
She said they appreciate the opportunity at DFTC because the income goes directly to them.
DFTC staff Cheryl Quinto, during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, said that the DFTC Taboan is taking off, with the influx of buyers, especially on days that new products arrive – on Tuesdays and Fridays. These are also the hauling days.
She said that farmers are still not charged for the space they occupy because the DFTC management wants to ensure the stability of the activity at the terminal before collecting the prescribed fees.
The DFTC is in Toril and is open from 7 am-7 pm.
For more details about its operations, Dabawenyos may visit their official Facebook Page: Davao Food Terminal Complex. CIO
