388 Tindahan Natin outlets now operational in WV
A total of 388 Tindahan Natin outlets are now operational in Western Visayas.
This was recently revealed by the Mr. Darryl Clarence Alfuente, Acting Regional Project Evaluation Officer of DSWD Field Office VI. “We will soon conduct a Regional Inter-Agency Meeting with the National Food Authority (NFA) to iron out issues in the operationalization of Tindahan Natin projects,” said Alfuente.
Of the 388 outlets, 344 operators have availed of a loan assistance from DSWD while a total of 41 are self-funded to be able to open up stores to sell cheap rice and noodles. Those who availed of a loan assistance were extended a seed capital of P20,000 each. If distributed by province, 177 are operational in Iloilo; 67 in Antique; 64 in Aklan; and 23 in Capiz.
A total of 424 operators, on the other hand, are processing their requirements to soon open Tindahan Natin outlets. “We want to fast track the implementation of the project. We hope that the inter-agency meeting to be conducted this March could hasten the Operationalization of these outlets,” said Alfuente.
In Region VI alone, it is targeted that a total of 875 outlets will be established to meet the needs of the rural poor.
Alfuente said that the need is not so much felt at this point, particularly in Aklan and Capiz, because of the harvest season.
Tindahan Natin is a nationally initiated project for job generation and food security jointly undertaken by DSWD and the NFA. This targets to access the ultra poor to low priced and quality rice and noodles.
“Not all could afford to buy hybrid rice. Not all are producers of rice. This project aims to make low-cost rice accessible to the community. If a family lives far from the town’s center, it is best that they buy their rice from the Tindahan Natin outlet. They won’t have to pay for the fare and will have to buy the rice at a cheaper cost,” earlier said Teresita S. Rosales, OIC Regional Director of DSWD Field Office VI.