A SCHEDULE is set for truckers transacting at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post following the new executive order of Mayor Romeo Salda on guidelines for operation in the trading area.
For truckers plying the Divisoria, Balintawak, Pasig, Commonwealth, Novaliches, Tacloban, Iloilo, and all “tawid–dagat” areas, schedule to transact is set on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturday’s truckers bound for Bicol, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Cavite, Bataan and all other provinces are scheduled to travel.
The mayor said the two executive orders ordering the temporary partial closure of the trading post and private trading areas aims to effectively implement crowd control and physical distancing at the trading site.
Agot Balanoy of the League of Associations at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and market supervisor Joel Cervantes added the trading post will operate from Mondays to Saturdays while stakeholders in the private trading and parking areas may be accommodated by Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center.
As of Friday, March 27, the mayor added operations at the private trading areas will cease on March 28.
There will be no trading every Sunday as it will be dedicated as a cleaning day.
Vehicles must also observe two meters distancing, and for all stakeholders entering the trading post to always wear face masks, gloves and observe physical distancing.
Balanoy added they have lobbied with the LGU not to cease operation in the private trading areas.
“It is not that they would compromise the community health but they are also bound for the responsibility of farmers to sell their produce,” said Balanoy.
She asked for possible remedies in order to have continued production of food.
“At some point on the part of LGU and on our part, this is the first time we experience this kind of situation. Trial and error. That much we understand however we ask them to be open for changes if in case there is a huge impact on the vegetable industry,” she added.
Balanoy said with the new scheme and controlled entry only around 140 truckers are inside the area at one time.
“We cannot tell the farmers not to harvest their produce because they put so much expenses,” Balanoy said.