SMC President Ramon Ang said the gradual easing of restrictions in Metro Manila and Laguna province had boosted prospects for participants in its weekend market at Cabuyao City, Laguna.
SAN Miguel Corporation (SMC) said its Circolo community weekend market in Cabuyao City, Laguna has been a “big success” for both farmers and merchants who had been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
SMC President Ramon Ang said the gradual easing of restrictions in Metro Manila and Laguna province had boosted prospects for participants in the weekend market who have reported selling out their goods quickly on market days.
Since its formal opening last October 23, some 26 stalls are now operating, rent-free for six months, at the 4,000-square meter Circolo market near the Nuvali Rotonda.
Majority of the merchants are from all over Laguna and include those supported by the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO) of Cabuyao City.
Big boost to farmers
According to Ang, the Circolo market has attracted both local residents of nearby villages, as well as weekend visitors from Metro Manila and other neighboring cities in Laguna province.
One of the most-visited stalls, aside from the food outlets, is of social enterprise Rural Rising PH--SMC’s partner at its Better World Diliman community center in Quezon City.
The center serves as a ready-market for excess produce bought from farmers at better-than-farmgate prices, which are then offered to consumers and resellers at lower prices.
“Through Rural Rising Philippines, our Better World Diliman has become a lifeline for many distressed farmers all over Luzon, whose goods cannot all be sold or transported to their traditional markets.
Since July 2020, they have sold over 800,000 kilos of produce and benefited 4,500 farmers.
"That number can only go higher, now that they have an outlet south of Metro Manila, through Circolo market,” Ang added.
The SMC president also expressed confidence that the considerable drop in Covid-19 cases, as well as the intensified Covid-19 vaccination program, will result in an economic boom.
“Nineteen months into the pandemic, and after several strict lockdowns, we’re glad that the farmers and small businesses that have joined this weekend market project, are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Ang said.
“We still have to be cautious and observe all health protocols--but with the holiday season fast approaching, we’re very optimistic of a recovery, especially for the agriculture sector and small entrepreneurs,” he added.
Meanwhile, SMC is now into talks with the local government of Cabuyao City to expand the market’s operating hours from the current 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. due to the request of some stallholders.
“If adding more hours will benefit more merchants and consumers, we are certainly open to it. We will and consult with the local government of Cabuyao and take into consideration the prevailing situation, ensuring that we always comply with government-mandated health protocols,” he added.
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