The Department of Agriculture (DA) has dispatched 18 trucks to transport vegetables from Benguet following reports of oversupply in the region that has left local farmers struggling to sell their harvest, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Tiu Laurel said the DA’s logistics teams, including the KADIWA program under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), are actively coordinating to link Benguet farms to key markets in Metro Manila. The trucks being deployed include DA-owned vehicles, regional trucks, and units provided to cooperatives, with the department covering fuel costs to ensure produce reaches trading hubs.
“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,” the DA chief said.
The oversupply in Benguet has left many traders unable to purchase or transport vegetables due to high fuel prices, exacerbating losses for farmers who rely on steady market demand.
Tiu Laurel said that the problem is complex and cannot be resolved overnight but emphasized that the new transport initiative would ease immediate pressures.
The DA chief said infrastructure projects aimed at reducing future oversupply problems. The DA is completing a Mega Cold Storage facility with 5,000 pallet positions, equivalent to 4,000–5,000 tons, expected to be operational next year, with additional modular storage units being deployed in the meantime. These storage facilities will allow farmers to temporarily store surplus produce, mitigating waste and stabilizing prices.
The DA is also working to connect produce from Trinidad and other key hubs to KADIWA sites in Metro Manila and other urban markets, ensuring a broader distribution network beyond the local trading centers.
Addressing concerns about DA presence in the area, Tiu Laurel said the department maintains offices in Baguio and La Trinidad, where the Baguio Agricultural Produce Trading Center (BAPTC) serves as a regional trading hub. He acknowledged reports from local traders that some farmers had not yet received direct support and committed to visiting the area personally.
“I will go to Baguio by Wednesday to check firsthand what is happening and determine how we can provide immediate assistance,” the DA chief said, stressing the department’s commitment to supporting farmers and improving supply chain coordination.
The DA’s intervention reflects growing recognition of the challenges posed by high fuel costs, regional oversupply, and the need for enhanced logistics to safeguard both farmers’ incomes and food supply stability.
