Clustering scheme of veggie delivery at BAPTC, LT Trading Post now in effect

April 12, 2020 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – In continuing efforts to ensure that the flow of highland vegetable supply to Metro Manila and the lowland markets is assured while adhering to the protocols of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the threat of the deadly coronavirus 2019, the provincial government set a clustering scheme for the unloading or delivery of vegetables in the government-run trading posts in this capital town.
Governor Melchor Diclas issued a memorandum circular adopting the clustering of municipalities for the unloading of vegetable produce at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post (LTVTP) and Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) effective April 8, 2020.
This is to avoid overcrowding and maintain social or physical distancing in adherence to the ECQ protocol.
Each of the two cluster groups will have a three-day schedule for a week. The nearby municipalities of Tinoc in Ifugao and Bauko in Mountain are also included in the clustering as they also unload their produce in both trading areas.
For Group 1, the schedule is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (MWF) for the towns of Buguias, Atok, Kabayan, Sablan, Itogon, La Trinidad, and Bauko.
Municipalities under Group 2 are Mankayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Tuba, Tublay, Bokod, Kapangan, and Tinoc with schedule every Thursday, Tuesday and Saturday (TThS).
Lolita Bentres, chief of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, shared the said clustering was agreed upon during the April 6 meeting of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Corona virus disease. It was an output of an earlier meeting with municipal agriculturists in finding ways to come up with a system in decongesting the trading areas which is a health concern especially during these crucial times.
This will also help regulate the supply of vegetables entering the said trading areas and consequently pave the way for better price outlook for farmers.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda consented to the scheduling of truckloads of vegetables as he believes this would be of great help to the industry and would redound to the farmers. He said the adoption of the scheduling approach will strike a balance between supply and demand and commands reciprocated and regulated prices for highland vegetables.
Diclas said there may be some loopholes along the way during the initial implementation but what is important is to start now and see what needs to be improved.
JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet