BACOLOR, Pampanga – A central trading post will be established in this town to showcase Pampanga’s potency in elating the economy of the province for the years to come.

Gov. Lilia Pineda said the project was supposed to be established at Clark Freeport but opted to put it up in Bacolor because of the town’s strategic location as a centerpiece of commerce in Pampanga next to the City of San Fernando.

Bacolor is now fast emerging from a major devastation brought about by the onslaught of lahar after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

Pineda said the project will be built on a one-hectare lot along the Olongapo-Gapan Road. “Definitely the location of the proposed trading post is an accessible area,” she said.

Last year, the provincial government entered into a contract with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for the establishment of a P6-million “market-market” (trading post) which will showcase Kapampangan’s produce including farm-fresh agriculture and aquaculture products.

But Pineda cancelled the contract because the “market-market” concept is not a good business idea inside the Freeport. “Holding market-market is like a flea market which display agricultural farm products and aquaculture products like fish which we all know attracts flies and eventually make the entire place untidy,” she said.

Mayor Jomar Hizon thanked the governor for selecting Bacolor, saying the project will be a big boost to the town’s economy as it will generate employment and additional income.