The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera Administrative region (DA-CAR) find ways to help Cordillera farmers in marketing their product outside the region amidst the prevailing Enhance Community Quarantine in Luzon.

Just yesterday, the DA-CAR facilitated the transport of vegetable products from Tublay, Benguet to Manila by lending two (2) of its truck as transport. Farmers in Tublay are accordingly faced with difficulty in marketing their products outside the province.

In a letter sent by Tublay Mayor Armando J. Lauro said a Non-Government Organization commits in buying their local vegetable products which will be delivered to consumers staying at the slum areas in Manila.

” Sufficient volume of excess assorted vegetables is available and ready for delivery”, he added. Thus, he requested for possible assistance from DA-CAR on the transport of goods to Manila.

The department responded quickly by committing two trucks that can haul 3-5 tons to deliver said vegetables in Metro Manila. Fuel and Drivers were shouldered by DA. This assistance is part of DA’s services provided to the small farmers.

Meanwhile, Tublay Municipal Agriculturist Jeffrey Sotero said this partnership between the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the DA-CAR is a great help to the farmers in selling their products, especially with the current abnormal situation.

He said that a total of 30 farmers have delivered their vegetables produced at the Tublay Marketing and Food Processing Center for transport. A total of 10 tons of assorted vegetables that were consolidated were delivered at the Distribution Center near the Quezon City Circle last March 26, 2020.

Sotero added that they also plan to include adjacent municipalities to supply the demand of the NGOs in NCR on a regular basis and to help more farmers not only in their municipality but in the province of Benguet.

“Transportation of vegetable products in the market is essential to ensure the quality of products and its availability,” he added.