SASJ ARC launches Talipapa amid COVID-19 pandemic

In partnership with the Brgy. Council, Sta. Ana San Joaquin Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SASJ ARC) has launched “talipapa” (community market) to allow residents access to food supply due to the Community Quarantine and lessen the number of residents converging the public market and other places.

This initiative also ensures income for the community and minimizes the effects of economic crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The local government unit of Pandan Antique has tasked each barangays to establish and operate talipapas and we acted on it immediately and partnered with the cooperative,” said Brgy. Chairman Joseph A. Mariano.

“The cooperative is the one who processed the permits and requirements and we at the Brgy. Council sent letters to our neighbouring barangays informing them about the launching of talipapa,” he added.

The talipapa is scheduled every Sunday which is a market day for the community and started their operations on the first Sunday of August, with the cooperative’s and Brgy. Council’s provision of tables.

“This is a collaborative effort of the cooperative and the council.  Seventy percent (70%) of the proceeds from the collection fee paid by the vendors will go to the cooperative and the 30% will go to the Brgy Council,” said SASJ ARC Chairman Jesson Jose G. Bation.

The available commodities range from native delicacies and cakes, RTWs, vegetables, fresh fruits, meat, fish as well as processed products sold by vendors, farmers and retailers from adjacent barangays. Moreover, the prices of all commodities were regulated so that anyone can afford them.

It caters to all residents of hinterland barangays in Pandan which are Brgy. Perfecta, Aracay, Badiangan, Sta. Ana and San Joaquin.

“With this initiative, we want to reduce travel in going to market and other related establishments. Additionally, this will also provide another income and help local farmers and retailer’s opportunity to earn continually during the pandemic and give consumers an additional method of purchasing their needs,” said Chairman Bati-on.

The community market which opens from 6am until noon are in strict compliance with health protocols and are also advised to observe proper sanitation and waste disposal management through the barangay officials.

For this initiative to be sustainable, the members and officials call for support to their community by visiting and patronizing the local products sold in their talipapa.