La Trinidad, Benguet will soon install more closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras at the Vegetable Trading Post.
Mayor Romeo Salda said the CCTVs are needed to prevent crimes especially with the theft of vegetable stocks in the area.
Salda said there are reports that reached his office where individuals would steal sacks of vegetables at the public trading post. These individuals would then sell the stolen vegetables outside of the municipality including Baguio City.
He said the municipality would also upgrade the CCTVs at the trading post as some of the cameras produce low quality images.
This crime among others being committed at the trading post, was the reason why the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post has pushed for the accreditation and registration of all vegetable stakeholders in the municipality.
League spokesperson Augusta Balanoysaid the accreditation is needed for the protection of those in the vegetable industry.
She said the accreditation would also help screen out these farmers, traders, buyers and other laborers prior to engaging in the business.
“We will be able to check the records of these individuals before accrediting them or registering them. We also see this as a crime prevention tool, to prevent unscrupulous buyers and laborers from being part of the local vegetable industry,” Balanoy said.
The municipal council is currently crafting the ordinance for the registration of all vegetable trading posts stakeholders.
The ordinance will cover not only LTVTP but also the other public vegetable trading site in Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, as well as all the private trading areas in the valley.
The proposed ordinance is expected to be discussed by the council early next year. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 25, 2024
