South Cotabato, Philippines — The municipal government of Tupi is rolling out major upgrades at the Tupi Fruit Park to improve vendor safety and strengthen the town’s growing tourism economy, Supervising Senior Tourism Operations Officer Bren Tamayo said.
For years, fruit vendors operated along the national highway, leaving them vulnerable to road accidents and causing traffic obstruction.
Tamayo said the LGU resolved the safety issue by transferring them to the Tupi Fruit Park, an organized trading area built on land donated by DARBC.
The relocation, he added, has given vendors a safer workspace and a more appealing environment to showcase local produce.
The Tupi Vendors Association now counts 52 members, all benefiting from increased customer traffic as the park continues to draw visitors.
With Mt. Matutum serving as a natural backdrop, the site has become a favorite stop for motorists and tourists traveling through South Cotabato.
To further expand livelihood opportunities, the LGU is set to introduce more facilities in the coming months.
Plans include designated vendor sections, a processing unit for fruit-based products, pasalubong centers, and a new view deck designed to highlight the panoramic view of Mt. Matutum.
“We encourage everyone traveling through Tupi to stop by the Fruit Park,” Tamayo said.
“Every purchase here directly supports our local vendors and helps sustain the livelihood of families who depend on this trade.”
He said these developments underscore the LGU’s commitment to putting local farmers and vendors at the center of the town’s economic progress.
As Tupi positions itself as a safer and more vibrant tourism hub, officials say the fruit park stands as proof that local development is strongest when communities, and the people who keep their traditions alive,sare the first to benefit.
