“By bringing their goods, Manileños have access to quality and fresh produce at a good price”: Moreno approves vegetable bazaar for Cordillera farmers

La Trinidad, Benguet – Vegetable farmers from the Cordillera continue to struggle with low buying prices and unsold produce due to oversupply, while many traders also face difficulties transporting vegetables to lowland markets because of high fuel costs.

To help address the problem, the Manila Local Government Unit started connecting farmers and traders from the region directly to markets in the capital.

The move came after Benguet provincial officials, led by Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, met with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on May 6, where they discussed the situation and possible interventions.

Benguet officials conveyed that many Cordillera farmers have been suffering losses due to oversupply at the La Trinidad Trading Post, as the number of buyers remains low.

Aside from this, increasing fuel prices have also affected transportation costs, making it harder for traders to bring vegetables to lowland markets.

Because of the situation, some farmers reportedly ended up throwing away vegetables or giving them away for free just to avoid bigger losses.

Following the meeting, according to the Manila Public Information Office, Mayor Isko Moreno immediately instructed concerned individuals and offices to coordinate with vendors in Manila public markets so that traders from the Cordillera can directly connect with sellers and consumers.

“Agad na inaprubahan ni Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno Domagoso ang kahilingan ng mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Benguet na tulungan ang mga lokal na magsasaka na makahanap ng maayos na pagbebentahan ng kanilang mga gulay. Sa pangunguna ni Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, personal nilang inilahad sa alkalde ang sitwasyon ng mga magsasaka at mangangalakal ng Benguet at ang pangangailangan ng direktang ugnayan sa mga mamimili sa Lungsod ng Maynila,” the information office wrote.

Aside from opening connections with public markets, the local government also launched a vegetable bazaar at Kartilya ng Katipunan, where farmers and traders from the Cordillera can directly sell their produce to consumers.

In his message during the opening of the bazaar, as shared by the PIO, Moreno emphasized that the initiative is mutually beneficial. He said Cordillera farmers are not the only ones benefiting from the initiative, as Manila residents also gain access to fresh and quality vegetables.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, they thought we’re doing them a favor? No, it's the other way around. They are doing us a favor by bringing their goods, agricultural products from the provinces, and Manileños have access to quality and fresh produce at a good price… While we wanted to share our resources, they are having access directly to the consumers with a better price for them,” said Moreno.

With the partnership between the two LGUs, Cordillera farmers are expected to recover from their losses and earn more, as they can now sell their harvests directly to consumers in Manila instead of relying heavily on middlemen.