A JOINT resolution requesting the transfer of management of the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) is being pushed by the municipal council of La Trinidad.
Addressed to the Department of Agriculture, members of the Booth Association, Bagsakan Association, and Disposers Association with business permits as Vegetable Dealers Operating within the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post (LTVTP) are asking for the turnover of the BAPTC to the local government unit.
The resolution is being appealed by the various associations to encourage all stakeholders to make legal transactions within the government facility urging the different organizations to recognize the existing ordinance known as the La Trinidad Trading Post Code.
Stakeholders said they are willing to use BAPTC as an additional venue for vegetable trading, only if the DA will see to it the management and operations will be given to the LGU.
Furthermore, the joint resolution said local dealers are confident La Trinidad will be more capable of managing the operations of BAPTC having enough experience in the supervision of the two-decade old trading post.
The resolution has been endorsed by the local council to the Committee on Market. According committee chair and Councilor Arthur Shontogan, the request will be immediately referred to the Technical Working Group (TWG) assigned by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
Last week, Piñol visited the BAPTC and heard the sentiments of the various stakeholders suppose to benefit from it.
“We will endorse it to the steering committee and the TWG for review. The resolution will be included in the report which will be given to Secretary Piñol,” Shontogan said.
“The general issue why majority of the stakeholders are suggesting the transfer is the lack of trust to the existing management. They are afraid if they cannot agree with the existing terms, it might be in the long run not complimentary to transact business,” Shontogan added.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda also share the same sentiment saying the traders are not willing to transfer their business in BAPTC unless the LGU will be the ones managing.
Piñol is expected to return to the Cordilleras after the two-week assessment of the TWG headed by Usec Ariel Cayanan reviewing and proposing amendments in the management of BAPTC.
At present, the P800 million worth trading center constructed within the property of Benguet State University is under the care of the DA Regional Office.