KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province, April 17 (PIA)- The city government here started yesterday the implementation of the ‘Market Market sa Barangay’, a mobile market which serves as a venue for community quarantine-affected residents of the city.

Yesterday, residents of Barangay San Isidro and neighboring areas flocked to the barangay covered court to purchase basic food commodities such as rice, meat, fruits, vegetables, among others.

Under the mobile market, tricycles deliver food products, which are from the city’s Mega Market and grocery shops, to the host barangay wherein these are displayed at the host barangay’s gymnasium or covered court. The city government shoulders the fee of tricycles, with designated route going to the host barangay, carrying the food products.

Today, the ‘Market Market sa Barangay’ visited Barangay Kalaisan. On April 18 and 19, the mobile market will be in Barangay Ginatilan and Mateo, respectively. It is open from 7 o'clock in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

City information officer Atty. Paolo Evangelista said the ‘Market Market sa Barangay will be on a regular schedule starting next week.

“The ‘Market Market sa Barangay’ is being implemented per cluster barangay wherein the nearby barangays can purchase goods at the host barangay,” Evangelista stated adding there is a plan to add more host barangays.

This initiative is implemented by the city government, through the City Tourism and Investment, Barangay Affairs, and City Agriculture, Economic Enterprise and Management, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Vendors Association of the city’s Mega Market, members of the Federation of Kidapawan Integrated Tricycle Association (FKITA), and barangay officials.

City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said that the mobile market was realized to continue the economic activity in the city amid the limited movement of the people as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

He also noted that the city government is set to purchase locally-produced products from different barangays to be sold in the mobile market.

Meanwhile, the city government sees to it that only holders of Kidapawan Quarantine Identification Pass can purchase in the mobile market. Sellers and buyers are also mandated to wear face mask and observe physical distancing. (Published by PIA XII With reports from the City Government of Kidapawan)