SMC builds market for Sariaya farmers

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Tuesday said it will open its first “pandemic-resilient” marketplace for farmers and fishers in Sariaya, Quezon that will be jointly managed with the residents of its P352-million relocation community.

SMC said the San Miguel Market, which is the first in Sariaya’s Barangay Castanas, is already 95 percent complete. SMC said in a statement that the marketplace is part of its planned sustainable integrated food complex that seeks to generate jobs for residents, and boost the economy of Quezon province.

“Through this project, the San Miguel Market, farmers and fishermen from Sariaya, Quezon can go into business and earn more from selling their fresh catch and fresh produce, their home-made products, and even our food products, directly to consumers,” SMC President Ramon S. Ang said.

“With this, combined with the 3.5-hectare Sariaya fishermen’s dock we built earlier, Sariaya can be known as a source of the freshest seafood from the province. They can attract many customers aside from the locals. With this, local fishermen can reduce their costs, sell their produce faster, and get better prices.”

The relocation community, dubbed San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes, comprised of families that were previously living in high-risk coastal areas. The community features disaster-resilient and environment-friendly homes and is equipped with a multi-purpose area, covered court, livelihood center, day care center and e-library, the company said.

SMC said the community’s dock can accommodate 100 boats and the area also has a fishermen’s hall that serves as a rest area and storage for about 70 boat engines and other fishing implements.

“[The] integrated food complex project will be a game-changer for Sariaya and Quezon province as it will include major food industry investments, including a ready-to-eat food manufacturing facility, a grains terminal, feed mill, poultry dressing plant, a brewery, and international port facilities,” Ang said.

Ang said SMC is “committed to making the lives” of the families “better for the long-term.”

“That is why we did not just stop at just providing them their own homes—we made sure they have good homes in a sustainable community. We are also providing locals all the support they need to boost their livelihood, hence the fishermen’s dock and now, the San Miguel market,” he said.

“Apart from these, we continue to upskill them through training programs. We want to provide them all the opportunities to earn not just stable, but good income.”

Article and Photo originally posted by Business Mirror last May 19, 2021 and written by Jasper Y. Arcalas.