Stakeholders raise concerns over Agri-Pinoy trading post plan
April 24, 2011 in agriculture, Cordillera
By MAY ANN R. AGCAOILI
www.nordis.net
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Most of the associations in the current trading post raised economic concerns regarding the proposed Agri- Pinoy trading center particularly regarding the new trading post.
Mayor Greg Abalos said that if the Agri-Pinoy trading center can accommodate all the ,traders, disposers and truckers most probably, there will be a transition. The existing trading post will just be a retailing area for vegetables and fruits which trading post associations reacted upon.
In an interview, Evelyn Buccat, officer of Cordillera Trading Post Traders Association (CTPTA) said her disapproval of the Agri-Pinoy Trading Center. “Maghahanap na lang kami ng ibang Trading Post baka mas mahal pa ang babayaran namin doon. Ang mga farmer naman matutuwa dahil mayroong post harvest facility doon,”she said.
According to Rey Docles, farmer, it is hard for them and for the buyers to adjust. He explained that they prefer to stay at the existing trading post due its proximity to the Business Central District.
Vice Chairman of Packers Association, Mary Bell Lusadan is against the transfer of the Trading Center because she feels that it will just increase the fees. She added that the existing trading post is nearer and more accessible than that of the the Agri- Pinoy.
“Okay lang naman sa amin na may bagong ipapatayong Trading Post. Ang tanong lang namin sa kanila(Government) ay kung papaano ba iyong pamamalakad,mas higher ba iyong rental ng stalls o may gagawin kaya sa mga gulay namin? At kung paano kami papasok doon,may requirements ba?”said Lorna Peloloc,(CTPTA) Manager.
However, Letty Tomas, cabbage disposer, said that if the government will oblige them to transfer,they will do so but if not, it’s better because the existing trading post is their comfort zone.
According to Corazon Baliqued,disposer, the idea is good but she is afraid that their profit will decrease and their retailers will be lost. She also said that the removal of middlemen in Agri-Pinoy project will just increase the rate of unemployment because in some ways they were able to help individuals who are not being helped by the government.
On the other hand there are those people who are looking on the brighter side of having a new trading post especially the packers and truckers.
The Disposers association officer, Edna Dionisio, pinpoints that building a new trading post is a good idea and it would be better if they will put up an outlet of vegetables to avoid congestion and to control the price. Norman Abaya, packer, said that the idea of having another trading post will lessen the congestion.
Rover Paiking, said that building a new trading post is a good idea as they have noticed the wish of farmers fora new and wide trading post and a wider space for parking vehicles that will minimize traffic.
On the other hand,truckers were relieved when they heard about the trading post. Herculano Cabante from Tarlac said that he was glad to know that they (Govenment and DA) will build a trading post in strawberry farm. “Maganda iyan para papalapit naman kami kasi ang hirap makapasok dito(trading post) kailangan pang magpark doon at kumuha ng number bago makapasok dito,he said.”# nordis.net
I suggest a more in-depth article to follow this present article, even a series of articles, that will provide an overview of the present trading of vegetables and flowers in Baguio-Benguet. Include a historical context and the wider issues that have emerged, and how the government and private sector has acted on this issues in the past to the present. Note the this will entail data as well that shows how the temperate vegetable industry in the Cordillera in general with a present bulk being from Benguet at present, is also being influenced as well as influences agro-business trends outside of the Cordillera. Note the issues of legal and smuggling or illegal importation of temperate vegetables for the Philippine demand of temperate vegetable products, as well as seeds.
In this way the readers will be better able to participate in this conversation, and influence local ideas as well as initiatives for the benefit of all.
And as news on this, the Trading Post System and other related news as that of the Baguio Market are really points of News Interest in the city and region, perhaps the NORDIS can assign people and plan ahead to put a focus on this area of news interest as well as build up it capacity to write more in-depth Agro-Economic and Cordillera economic news. Much is always mentioned of under-development, and yes it is important to point it out, but little can be comprehended what that is meant by the ordinary person. And I believe your organization is one that is in a better position to help raise understanding on this matter, as well as mention and point to the alternatives to approach the issue.
And one you can look forward to, is to then include a list of earlier articles on a certain subject such as this, at the bottom of the latest article, so new readers can catch up on the matter of interest.
Thank you and more power to your organization.