Pangelinan: Garapan Public Market is a work in progress

Former senator Maria C. Pangelinan, who is president of the Saipan Farmers Cooperative that runs the Garapan Public Market, assured members of the Rotary Club of Saipan yesterday that the public market is progressing and they have plans in place for future ventures.

Pangelinan also clarified with Rotary members during their meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan that the Garapan Public Market will not close down.

“We are surviving and if we have more produce to sell, we could have sustained ourselves until the peak season but so far we are extra cautious,” she said.

She said that due to low funds and low production, the market is closed on Saturdays but she assured that they will eventually pick up during the peak season and plans are now underway for a full seven-day operation.

The peak season is usually from January to March.

“We are still trying to get the local farmers under one roof. Luckily they have agreed to stop the Tuesday Market, but the Sabalu Market is still going on and we are working on putting them in one roof so we can work cooperatively,” she said.

Pangelinan said there are fewer than 10 farmers that currently supply products to the public market but they are accepting more and that they don’t have to be farmers to supply them.

“Because whatever they, have we will sell,” she said.

Pangelinan said the farmers are not under contract and noted that it was a problem because loyalty and support are needed beforehand when making a contract.

She noted that they do have consignments on some products such as local produce.

Some of the products the market sells are hydroponic produce, including lettuce in small volumes that come in every Tuesday from local farmer Sid Cabrera, hydroponic tomatoes and cucumbers from another local farmer, and some dragon fruits.

Pangelinan said the hydroponic produce is a little bit pricey.

The Garapan Public Market’s future endeavors include selling local meat and fish. They are also working with farmers on standards to ensure safe and sanitary products.

Pangelinan said she has already met with the operator of the slaughterhouse and they are working on “participation” agreement.

“As for now we are focusing on bringing in produce and selling it,” she said.

The Garapan Public Market was opened on Aug. 18. It was funded through a $200,000 grant from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of congressional appropriation that the CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources was awarded for.

According to Pangelinan, she is working on a management contract with DLNR acting secretary Manny Pangelinan. The management contract will officially lay down the plan on the future of the public market.