From left, Parks and Recreation Division Director Mike Cruz, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar, Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association Inc. President Glenn Manglona, DLNR Special Advisor Cameron S. Nicholas and KAFPA Treasurer Jesus M. Castro pose for photo after signing a memorandum of understanding at the DLNR office on Friday.
Contributed photo
THE Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association Inc. on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding to allow the Sabalu Farmers Market to operate every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garapan Fishing Base.
DLNR Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar and KAFPA President Glenn Manglona signed the MOU in the presence of KAFPA Treasurer Jesus M. Castro, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Cruz and DLNR Special Advisor Cameron S. San Nicolas.
They agreed on the following:
1) The term of the MOU shall be effective for two years and shall continue in force unless 15 days written notice is issued by either party to dissolve the MOU;
2) The DLNR shall permit Lot No. 013 D 53 for the purpose of the Sabalu Farmers Market; and,
3) The Sabalu market shall be open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., except for those activities authorized by DLNR, that is, Agricultural Fair, Red Cross Walk-a-thon, and so forth, inclusive of other terms.
The Sabalu Farmers Market is “an event that brings together local farmers in an effort to display their passion and talents for agricultural production, as well as provide a form of sustenance to our communities.”
On Oct. 24, 2024, Manglona, KAFPA Board Chair JM Guerrero and other officers met with Igisomar and DLNR staff to explain KAFPA’s intent to re-establish the Sabalu Farmers Market at DLNR’s designated property at the Garapan Fishing Base.
KAFPA said it has adopted rules and regulations that will govern the Sabalu Farmers Market.
Before the market’s official launch, the DLNR secretary and KAFPA officers agreed that an MOU must be executed between DLNR and KAFPA to officially permit such activities.
Prior to the signing of the MOU on Friday, the DLNR secretary and his staff met with KAFPA Inc. officers to discuss the terms of the MOU. After finalizing the terms, Igisomar and KAFPA officers signed the MOU.
“The signing of such an MOU is a clear indication of better and brighter things to come in the near future for our farmers and communities of the CNMI,” DLNR said in a statement to Variety on Monday.
Details on the Sabalu Farmers Market launch date will be provided soon.
DLNR and KAFPA are “encouraging our communities to be aware of the event and to support our hard-working local farmers.”
In addition, DLNR and KAFPA “jointly acknowledge the environmental, economic and collective benefits of local agricultural produce and further encourages everyone in the community, residents and non-residents alike, to attend the Sabalu Farmers Market and experience these benefits.”
KAFPA officers said the participating farmers “wish to share the resources of their hard-earned labor and services to the general public with hopes that such sustenance can add value to their daily living.”
