THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it is sending trucks to Benguet following reports of an oversupply of vegetables left idle due to soaring fuel costs.
High fuel prices have prevented traders from buying and transporting vegetables from the province, leading to losses for farmers who rely on consistent market demand.
“The issue was brought to my attention last week, and we immediately instructed our regional directors and logistics teams to act. Our goal is to move the vegetables efficiently and prevent waste while supporting our farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said.
The trucks consist of 18 vehicles owned by the DA and its regional offices, as well as those provided to cooperatives.
The DA will cover all fuel costs to ensure that the vegetables reach trading hubs.
The agency has offices in Baguio and La Trinidad, and the Baguio Agricultural Produce Trading Center serves as a regional trading hub.
While acknowledging that the problem cannot be solved overnight, Tiu Laurel said the initiative would relieve immediate pressures.
“I will go to Baguio on Wednesday to check firsthand what is happening and determine how we can provide immediate assistance,” he said, stressing that the agency is committed to supporting farmers and improving supply chain coordination.
The DA will move the vegetables from La Trinidad in Benguet and other municipalities directly to Kadiwa outlets in Metro Manila and other urban markets to expand the distribution network beyond traditional trading centers in order to stabilize prices.
There are long-term infrastructure solutions being implemented to manage the oversupply of crops. A “mega cold storage facility” with 5,000 pallet positions, or a capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 tons, will start operations next year, Tiu Laurel said.
In the meantime, the DA is deploying additional modular storage units to temporarily hold farmers‘ surplus produce, avoid waste, and keep prices steady.