STAKEHOLDERS of the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) started experimental trading Dec. 15, at the Benguet State University Strawberry Fields, La Trinidad Benguet.
BAPTC Chief Operations Dr. Violeta Salda said the center’s experimental trading program until the end of the month has given emphasis on interest of farmers to utilize the facility.
“This is a place to trade and market our farmers’ produce. BAPTC is our service provider which will benefit most especially our farmers,” she said.
Salda added that when the 82 trading lanes and two consolidation lines becomes a fully functional facility, it can help to up to 147,000 farmers who can regularly supply vegetables.
The BAPTC official clarified the center is an expansion of the La Trinidad Trading Post and not a competition.
Department of Agriculture undersecretary for Operations, Engr. Ariel Cayanan said from the experimental trading, he sees no reason why the BAPTC cannot fully operate.
Cayanan observed traders, truckers, disposers, farmers and other agencies should use the facility since there is no opposition.
“Stakeholders have no objections with its operations. We have the center and so why should we not start the full operations?” he asked.
But Cayanan said the most recent challenge in the trading center is how to encourage all stakeholders to utilize BAPTC while the La Trinidad Trading Post is still open.
Mayor Romeo Salda has issued an administrative order requesting traders to transfer to BAPTC but only a few responded to the request.
“There’s a resolution created by the Technical Working Group and the adhoc committee to be submitted to the council to give me authority to issue a memorandum for stakeholders to go to BAPTC while we are drafting the memorandum of agreement on its management with the Benguet State University,” the mayor said
Mayor Salda added he cannot force everyone to follow his request but the local government unit is trying their best to encourage all vegetable stakeholders to cooperate with the program.