Benguet moves vs imported veggies

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Benguet Inter-Agency Task Force is coordinating measures to address the continued influx of legally and illegally imported vegetables, particularly broccoli and carrots, which local officials said is hurting the province’s agricultural sector.

Benguet Vice Gov. Marie Fongwan-Kepes recently met with Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora Jr., presidential assistant for the Cordillera Administrative Region, to discuss possible measures following an initial meeting at the Benguet Capitol.

Tabora assured provincial officials that the task force’s concerns and proposals would be brought to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and the Office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Among the proposed measures are the establishment of security checkpoints along key thoroughfares and the confiscation of smuggled or illegally distributed imported produce.

Fongwan-Kepes said provincial officials are reviewing the legal basis for the proposed measures before implementing them.

The issue gained urgency after authorities discovered about 750 kilograms of imported broccoli being sold in markets in La Trinidad. Local farmers and vegetable traders have called for an immediate stop to the unauthorized sale of imported produce.

Fongwan-Kepes said the continued influx of imported carrots is also hurting local farmers, noting that the vegetables can be kept in cold storage for up to six months.