In keeping with the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, NCR local government units (LGUs) continue to provide access to basic food commodities by bringing the market to the people. Since the launch of Pasig City’s Mobile Palengke, several LGUs have followed suit.
On March 26, Caloocan City launched seven (7) Jeepalengke units from which basic food commodities can be purchased to prevent the need of the residents to go to the market. This initiative is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and all proceeds will go to the farmers from which the goods were sourced.
The Kadiwa Market in the Department of Agriculture Training Institute located in Elliptical Road, Quezon City was opened to the public on March 26. In addition to this, seven (7) mobile palengkes will also be going around the city. This not only keeps the residents protected but also prevents the farmers’ produce from going to waste, especially in the middle of the oversupply in Benguet.
Taguig City launched a Mobile Market on March 28 also with the help of the Department of Agriculture. The mobile market aims to sell nutritious food items and operations are kept open until supplies for the day have been exhausted.
Inspired by Pasig City’s initiative, Valenzuela City launched Market On Wheels on March 29 in partnership with VALDECO Greenleaf market. This gives access to food in the comfort of the residents’ homes, especially for those who are far from public markets. This also ensures safety by lessening people present in public places. E-trikes are being mobilized and used to implement their mobile markets. Food groups such as vegetables and fruits, seafoods, meat and chicken, and grocery items are sold separately via different e-trikes.
On March 29, Parañaque City launched their Mobile Palengke which will be going to each barangay to ensure the safety of the residents and to prevent crowds in public places.
Muntinlupa City’s Market On Wheels began its services on March 30, which uses a truck to go around the city. Currently, the truck only sells vegetables but more products will be made available later on.
Makati City rolled out their Makati Mart on March 30, which provides residents alternative methods of buying food commodities. Some of the food items sold are fresh vegetables, eggs, garlic, onions, tomato, and other products that can be bought at an affordable price.
Kadiwa On Wheels was launched in Navotas City on March 30 in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Two trucks will be going around the city with products such as vegetables, poultry, and fish. A number coding scheme will be observed to lessen the number of buyers at a single time. Those with quarantine passes ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 may purchase from 5 AM to 11 AM, and those with passes ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 0 may purchase from 1 PM to 6 PM.
As more mobile markets are rolled out, the number of people gathering to buy commodities is significantly decreased which helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, precautionary measures are still strictly observed in the such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks, and temperature taking in some LGUs.
We hope that other LGUs take inspiration from these growing initiatives. May we all do our part in keeping Filipino families food secure. (RGRG/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
