Supply of veggies back to normal

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Vegetable commodities now entering the La Trinidad Trading Post trading post is just enough to meet the requirements of the market and consumers alike.

Governor Nestor Fongwan, in an interview, bared the queue of vegetable trucks to the trading post is now back to normal and free flowing.

Last week, there was an oversupply of vegetables coming from the vegetable producing towns of Benguet and Mt. Province. Trucks were stacked up on their way to the trading post.

According to Fongwan, the oversupply of highland vegetables was attributed to the accelerated growth of vegetables due to the continuous rains.

Agricultural crops were harvested earlier than expected due to the effect of constants rain which hastened their growth.

Meantime, Fongwan said the total losses in agriculture particularly in high value crops, rice and agricultural facilities due to Typhoon Gener reached P22.719 million, based on reports of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

High value commercial crops such as carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, pepper and lettuce suffered the most with estimated losses pegged at P20,240,391.99. These are standing crops or those at the vegetative stage, he further said.

Losses to agriculture are second to damages to infrastructure.

Fongwan said the Provincial Government could not yet declare state of calamity in the province until actual damage shall have been determined and assessed. This will serve as basis to back up its declaration prior to legislation by the provincial board, he stressed. (Susan Aro)