DA sends trucks to move Benguet vegetables amid supply glut
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has deployed 18 trucks to transport vegetables from Benguet following reports of oversupply that have left farmers struggling to sell their produce, 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, are working to connect farmers in Benguet to major markets in Metro Manila. The deployed fleet includes DA-owned trucks, regional vehicles, and units provided to cooperatives, with fuel expenses covered by the department to ensure delivery to trading hubs.
The DA chief said the issue was raised last week, prompting immediate coordination with regional offices to accelerate the movement of vegetables, reduce spoilage, and help stabilize farmers’ incomes.
The oversupply in Benguet has been worsened by high fuel costs, which have limited traders’ ability to transport produce, resulting in reduced buying activity and mounting losses for farmers.
While acknowledging that the issue cannot be resolved immediately, Tiu Laurel said the transport initiative is meant to ease short-term pressures.
To address longer-term challenges, the DA is advancing infrastructure projects, including a Mega Cold Storage facility with a capacity of 5,000 pallet positions—equivalent to 4,000 to 5,000 tons—which is expected to be operational next year. Additional modular cold storage units are also being rolled out to provide temporary storage for surplus produce, helping reduce waste and stabilize prices.
The department is also expanding distribution by linking produce from key hubs such as La Trinidad to KADIWA outlets across Metro Manila and other urban areas, broadening market access beyond traditional trading centers.
Tiu Laurel noted that the DA maintains offices in Baguio and La Trinidad, where the Baguio Agricultural Produce Trading Center serves as a major consolidation and trading hub. He acknowledged feedback from traders that some farmers have yet to receive assistance and said he plans to visit the area to assess the situation directly.
The DA’s intervention underscores the growing challenges posed by rising fuel costs, regional oversupply, and logistical constraints, highlighting the need for stronger supply chain coordination to protect farmers’ incomes and ensure food supply stability.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
