Highland vegetable traders want ‘practical solution’

BAGUIO CITY — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Addres, vegetable farmers and traders in Benguet are calling for concrete solutions to long-standing issues plaguing their industry.

Augusta Balanoy, spokesperson for the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Trading Area Inc., expressed hope for “constructive and practical programs” that will help farmers cope with the challenges of globalization and its impact on local agriculture.

“We cannot feel such for now,” Balanoy lamented, indicating a perceived lack of tangible support.

Balanoy acknowledged recent news of raids on smuggled vegetables under the current administration but urged for sustained action and stressed that while farmers and traders remain vigilant against smuggling, which threatens their livelihood, government officials and agencies must continue to enforce measures that prioritize Filipino farmers over “rich agricultural countries.”

She also highlighted the recurring problem of flooding, which affects not only lowland farmers but also parts of Benguet and the Cordillera Region. Such floods destroy vegetable crops and close vital transportation routes, leading to significant financial losses for farmers and food insecurity for their families.

“Considering that flooding is expected yearly and as the president said that it is the new normal, we hope for the updating of existing assistance programs so that it will answer this problem and its effect to farmers swiftly and accurately,” Balanoy said.