15 trucks mobilized to ensure vegetable supply in Metro

To ensure that there will be no shortage of vegetables in Metro Manila, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Domingo Panganiban yesterday dispatched 15 trucks to Baguio to help facilitate the delivery of vegetables to the country’s capital city.

Panganiban likewise instructed the Regional Field Units (RFUs) in Oriental Mindoro and Cagayan de Oro to assist in the delivery of vegetables and augment supply in the metropolis.

"The trucks were mobilized in coordination with the local government units in Baguio," he said.

"In Region 10, the vegetable growers dispatched two boat-loads of high-value vegetables for Manila," he added.

This will ensure that vegetable supply to Metro Manila from the North will remain unhampered," he added.

The shortage in supply of high-value crops like vegetables causes prices of some vegetables to shoot up in Metro Manila markets recently.

Baguio City is the main source of high-value crops, including vegetables.

Typhoon ‘Milenyo’ devastated many provinces but Baguio, Negros, and Cagayan de Oro were spared.

However, strong winds blocked many roads with fallen trees and debris, affecting the timely arrival of the vegetables to Manila and other neighboring areas.

Panganiban has directed the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of the DA to monitor the drop off points of vegetables coming from the three provinces in the north so that they would be equally distributed in the metropolis.

Panganiban warned against traders who would take advantage of the situation. — Katherine Adraneda