MAYOR Romeo Salda said the first batch of farmers is set to move to the Benguet Agri–Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC).
Salda said the first batch is just awaiting the carrot washing center to be fully operational before finally utilizing the space bankrolled by the Department of Agriculture dubbed as one of the country’s biggest trading center.
The chief executive said there are close to 200 farmers who will comprise the first batch to use the BAPTC.
The carrot washing facility will accommodate the requirements of the facilitators and traders which is seen to solve the problem faced by stakeholders with the lack of facilities in the center pushing them to use other facilities to wash produce then transport it to the strawberry fields area.
The transfer of trading to the BAPTC has since been marred with controversy and defiance from stakeholders laced with fears it will ruin the relationship between farmers-buyers-traders and disposers.
SunStar sources, however, relayed fears of stakeholder on a believed monopoly by a certain group in the operation and management of the space.
Reports said carrot disposers have been asked to help in the re-launching of BAPTC with some associations taking the invitation lightly.
In December last year, experimental trading started using 82 lanes and two consolidation lines aimed to help more than 147,000 farmers who can regularly supply vegetables.
Salda said truckers asked transfer from the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and Public Market to the BAPTC to give way for the Strawberry Festival Commercial Trade Fair which will be allowed to go back on April 15.