NEWSFLASH

'ERAP' SARI-SARI STORES SELL CHEAP FOOD IN MINDANAO

Malacanang, Aug. 5, 1998 - The government is setting up a chain of sari-sari (general merchandise) stores in depressed barangays of three cities and four provinces of Mindanao to sell low-priced commodities to the poor.

The National Food Authority's 'ERAP' (Enhanced Retail Access for the Poor) Sari-sari Store project will eventually sell cheap basic commodities to residents in barangays nationwide.

The first ERAP sari-sari store was established on July 30 in Barangay Upper Labay, General Santos City, whose population is made up mostly of Bilaan tribesmen engaged in corn farming, followed by stores in Barangays Tibungo and Sto. Nino, Davao City; and Barangay Linangcop, Kidapawan City.

More ERAP sari-sari stores were set up in Barangays Tinongtongan and Mamacao, in Bansalan and Sta. Maria, respectively, Davao del Sur; Barangay Magdum, Tagum, Davao del Norte; Barangay La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental; and Barangay Manirub, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

NFA Administrator Eduardo Nonato M. Joson said that each sari-sari store, operated either by a multi-purpose cooperative or the barangay chairman, sells rice, sugar, milk, sardines, coffee, needles and cooking oil.

The NFA administrator expressed confidence that the ERAP sari-sari store project will have a great positive impact on the disadvantaged populace.

Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi