Poor transportation for farm produce now a problem: execs

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

East-Westbound Terminals and Public Market (EWTPM) officer-in-charge Jocelyn Q. Peñalosa on Wednesday raised concerns through the City Council’s Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry on the reported “interlude” of transportation of farm goods from Cagayan de Oro City to Metro Manila.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the government has been negotiating business matching between farmers in Bukidnon and the capital cities to support the needs of consumers in the typhoonavaged areas in Ilocos Region which have been affected by typhoon Ompong.

Peñalosa said “interlude” problems are now both experienced in Laguindingan Airport and Macabalan wharf  that caused so much delay on the distribution of the vegetable products to Metro Manila and other provinces.

On Peñalosa’s letter addressed to city councilor George Goking,  reported that assorted vegetable products and goods were not accommodated for transport.

“These goods are perishable and are both time and temperature sensitive. Stall holders are requesting for assistance from your office to relieve the concern,” she said.

Meanwhile, Goking said he would call for an emergency meeting with possible persons from the Laguindingan Airport, Airline and vessel representatives, Bureau of Customs – 10, and the  Philippine Ports Authority – 10 to shed light on the issue.

“We have enough agricultural products nga mi-abot sa atong terminal apan walay masakyan padulong sa Manila then mahurot lamang kini sa kadaut unya ilabay na lamang. Dako kini nga alkanes alang sa atong mga negosyante,” he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of August 21, the price of high-value vegetables being sold in Metro Manila, such as cabbage and carrots, recorded double-digit increases on an annual basis.

PSA figures showed that the price of cabbage went up by 25 percent to P100 per kilogram, from P80 per kg recorded on August 22, 2018.

Carrots were also more expensive as the prevailing price rose by 50 percent to P120 per kg, from P80 per kg recorded a year ago.