La Trinidad, Guagua launch flower depot in Pampanga

Flower growers in La Trinidad, Benguet have a new market in Guagua, Pampanga through the strengthened sisterhood ties of both municipalities.
Mayor Romeo Salda said the newly-opened flower depot dubbed “La Trinidad Blooms in Guagua” aims to expand the market of cutflower producers in the capital town and to provide a supply for the locals of Guagua.
Both LGUs led by Salda and Guagua Mayor Dante Torres along with their respective town council members renewed on Jan. 24 the sisterhood ties, which dates back 1994 through further linkages of projects and programs including the flower market.
La Trinidad Cut Flower and Ornamental Growers Association President Randy Colte said the establishment of the flower market benefits both LGUs, as people in the town will be able to buy the flowers at a lower price, while flower growers will have a ready market fir their produce.
Colte said farmers will have another wholesale market at the flower depot at Prombrera Center in Barangay San Matias along Jose Abad Santos Avenue.
Various cutflowers, succulents, and cacti are delivered from La Trinidad to the flower depot.  
La Trinidad Vice Mayor Roderick Awi-ngan said the flower market is located along the road which is also a convergence point and a town center.
Awingan said the flower market will have its test run for two months and both LGUs agreed to handle the stall rentals for the farmers.
“Aside from the flowers, our farmers will also add vegetables and fruits to be displayed in the coming days,” Awingan said.
He said the test run will determine the viability of the endeavor.
“No business will soar immediately but we will soon evaluate this program to see if we will do this continuously,” he said, adding the LGU is always looking for additional outlet for local farmers to market their produce from the valley.
The Guagua and La Trinidad sisterhood ties was forged when the former helped the valley during the 1990 earthquake while La Trinidad sent help to the people of Pampanga during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. – Ofelia C. Empian