March 28, 2024

Farmer and traders from various towns of Benguet have found the scheduleto enter the vegetable trading centers in La Trinidadto be helpful in creating a smoother trading.

Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas said the various mayors of the 13 towns have expressed support to the ongoing clustering of the municipalities.

Aside from Benguet, the vegetable-producing towns of Bauko, Mountain Province and Tinoc, Ifugao were also included in the schedule, as they regularly sell their produce to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and other private trading centers in the capital town.

“When it comes to the clustering, there are a lot of farmers, disposers, and traders who are in favor to maintain this scheme since haan ag-gigidan sumampet dagiti nateng tayo,” Diclas said.

“The municipal mayors said they would also continue to participate in this program. We are thankful that the mayors are hands-on in monitoring the implementation of this program,” he said.

Scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the towns of Buguias, Atok, Kabayan, Sablan, Itogon, La Trinidad, and Kapangan in Benguet including Bauko, Mountain Province.

Kapangan, the major producer of chayote, has been recently moved to the MWF schedule to address the shortage of the commodity during said schedule. 

For Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the towns of Mankayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Tuba, Tublay, Bokod, and Tinoc, Ifugao are allowed to unload vegetables at the trading centers at these times.

Diclas said the clustering also helped in the prevention of Covid-19 since physical distancing is being implemented properly at BAPTC, LTVTP, and other private trading centers.

The governor said it also allows for easier contact tracing if ever there is a Covid-19 case. 

“But we hope there is none. We hope there would be no transmission among the vegetable industry stakeholders,” he said.

Diclas said the Department of Trade and Industry-Benguet has assured there is enough food supply such as rice and canned goods, among other basic food for the province that will last until May 15 due to the extended enhanced community quarantine. – Ofelia C. Empian