𝟴𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗩𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗜-𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗦

“La Trinidad would not be the town we know and love today, without the vegetable trading post.”

These are the words of affirmation from Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, Regional Director of DA-CAR and guest speaker who stressed the historical and economic value of the trading area, during the opening ceremonies of the 8th Highland Vegetable Industry Week at the municipal gymnasium today, July 13.

Built on the theme, “Educating Consumers, Promoting Highland Vegetables, Empowering Agri-Preneurs,” she commended the collective initiatives of the municipality toward expanding market opportunities in the lowlands, ultimately, benefitting farmers nationwide.

Expanding on this, Atty. Dawayan shared one major development from DA-CAR, the finalization of a processing center located beside the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) aimed to streamline the agriculture supply chain.

She further challenged local officials and the community itself by visualizing La Trinidad as a premier vegetable hub with resilient ecosystems that bolster the entire Cordillera region.

Meanwhile, Acting Mayor Guiller Galwan acknowledged the series of threats to the industry such as smuggling, importation, and even climate change, urging the community to buy and promote locally-sourced produce.

Echoing this sentiment, Acting Vice Mayor Nestor Fongwan Jr., proposed a greater involvement of farmers from neighboring localities such as Buguias, Tinoc (Ifugao), and Bauko and Bontoc (Mountain Province) as fellow major highland crop producers.

Sharing in the festivities, Jiecel Ramirez, Tourism Officer representing Mayor William Cezar of Rosales, Pangasinan was among the delegates to grace the event.

Mayor Franklin Odsey together with his Sangguniang Bayan members Vice Mayor Alsannyster Patingan, Councilors Glenn Bacala, Seichi Ofo-ob, Jupiter Jule Kalangeg, Dan Evert Sokoken, Timothy Pongad Jr., Jimmy Cherwaken, Bryan Byrd Bellang, Milagros Fang-asan and Alab Oriente barangay IPMR Barnabas Dapig travelled all the way to La Trinidad from Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Councilor Belmer Elis, Committee Chair for Agriculture and Tourism closely supervised the event to ensure a successful commencement.

In closing, municipal agriculturist Nida Organo lauded the continuing effort and fighting spirit of all stakeholders in sustaining vegetable production in the municipality and province.

Now on its eighth run, this year’s Highland Vegetable Industry Week kicked-off with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to signify the opening of the trade fair located at the municipal facade.

Author & Photographer: 𝘙𝘙. 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘢-𝘢𝘺

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18yLnyKA1H/