Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the inauguration and turn-over of the multi-million pesos worth of agricultural trading center in Brgy. Tomana East, Rosales, Pangasinan on March 25, 2025.

A Php60 million project funded by the DA under the Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program in cooperation with the Abono Partylist representative Hon. Robert Raymund Estralla III who donated the 8,000 sq. m lot, the project is expected to improve the profitability of the farmers as well as farmers cooperatives and associations by transforming them into an empowered entrepreneurs.

An activity that attended by around hundreds of farmers and vendors in the various municipalities of the 6th district of Pangasinan, the inauguration and turn-over ceremony was highlighted with the unveiling and awarding of the certificate of turn-over to the municipality of Rosales headed by Mayor William Cezar.

In his message during the turn-over ceremony, Secretary Laurel undersocred the relevance of projects such as this trading center to increase the income of farmers while providing the consumers with fresh, accessible and affordable agri-products.

Seeing the potential of this DA project to improve the distribution and consolidation of agri products and commodities, Secretary Laurel vowed to establish another trading post in Pangasinan while granting the request of the LGU Rosales for a rice drying facility and a cold storage facility with solar power system.

Meanwhile, for the project to become sustainable, Department of Social Welfare and Develolment Secretary Rex Gatchalian who was also present in the event led the distribution of livelihood assistance in the form of cash to the vendors from the identified memebers of associations which shall serve as their seed capital in putting up their business in the trading center.

To further maximize the trading center, a training center located on the second floor is allocated to serve as venues during trainings and seminars to enhance their marketing skills and improving their product quality and enabling direct wholesale trading for higher profit and income.