LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – “Awan ti problema nga haan nga masulbaran basta agtinutulong tayo (there’s no problem that cannot be solved if we work together),” says Ms. Violeta B. Salda, the new BenguetAgri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) Interim Chief Operations Officer (COO).
With the various setbacks and problems hounding the full operation of the 700M trading center, Ms. Salda said she will prioritize adding development programs and others needed by the farmers to move the trading center into full operation.
She committed to ensuringthat every production and marketing program services of the BAPTC designed and regulated according to the farmers’ needs.
Ms. Salda, Food Science Research and Innovation Center-BSU Director, was unanimously voted by the Working Technical Committee, formed by Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Department of Agriculture and headed by Undersecretary for Operations Ariel T. Cayanan to become the interim COO for the three-year transition period.
The committee explained that Ms. Salda, a Doctor of Philosophy, earned the position due to her credibility and active participation during the conceptualization and conduct of feasibility study of the trading center.
Geronimo Depalog Jr., the representative of farmers in BAPTC, said that he wishes for the increase in the number of farmers in the trading center for its full operation.
The turnover ceremony of the outgoing BAPTC Interim COO from Danilo P. Daguio to Ms. Salda last October 14 was attended by Daguio and the following: Luzon Cluster A Representative, RufinoPanagan; DA-CAR Executive Director, Dr. Lorenzo Caranguian, La Trinidad Mayor, Romeo Salda, BSU VP for Administration and Finance, Dr. Estrellita M. Daclan, and BAPTC Farmers’ Representative Depalog Jr., BAPTC Staff, and farmer-leaders.
By JMD