THE local government unit of La Trinidad allowed private vegetable trading centers in the town to resume its operations on April 13 subject to conditions.
After a dialogue between the vegetable production sector and the local government on April 9, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the La Trinidad represented by Municipal Administrator Myanne Salda and 24 representatives from private vegetable trading centers.
The agreement seeks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and for the continuous delivery of goods.
Private vegetable trading centers were previously ordered closed by the LGU last month thru Executive Order no. 12 series of 2020 signed by Mayor Romeo Salda in view of the Covid-19 threat.
The private vegetable trading centers are comprised of businessmen, truckers, leaders of association, disposer, park managers conducting vegetable trading outside of the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.
The agreement stipulated stakeholders must wear face masks and gloves, maintain social distancing, and persons ages 18 to 55¨Cyears¨Cold are allowed to enter the respective areas of business.
The MOA also mandates each site must provide a disinfecting booth, thermal scanner with health workers stationed at the entrance of all business areas.
Vehicles on the other hand, must also be disinfected as they enter the trading site with ample handwashing areas set up.
An identification system will be issued by the LGU and must be used all times.
“Only those with said IDs shall be allowed to work within the business areas of the stakeholders. IDs which have been issued previously shall be recalled and shall not be valid to be used in the business areas,” the order added.
Drivers and helpers of the buyers from outside Benguet province should abide by the “No touchdown policy” and stay inside their vehicles and avoid interaction with people inside the business area.
Business owners of the carrot washing area must strictly implement social distancing as the engineering office will determine the number of people allowed who work in each washing area.
Any violation of the terms and conditions of any stakeholder will warrant the local government for the automatic closure of the business area for the rest of the enhanced community quarantine period.
In addition, a random inspection will also be made by the LGU and the police anytime.