INTER-AGENCY, LGU COLLABORATES AGAINST ILLEGAL BROCCOLI IMPORTATION

Following the discussion of the Cordillera Broccoli Traders and Farmers Association and League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post (LTVTP) with the municipal government led by Mayor Roderick Awingan regarding the reports of illegally imported broccoli entering local markets this morning, the farmers groups then met with the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera led by Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, regional executive director for further discussions on the appropriate actions needed to be done to combat the smuggling of the highland produce.

During the meeting, it was decided that aside from La Trinidad, the DA-CAR will be coordinating with other local government units such as Tuba and Baguio City in the fight against illegal importation of not only broccoli but other highland vegetables as well. Dawayan also called for the farmers groups to conduct information campaign on the difference of the illegally imported broccoli and the fresher locally produced vegetable.

“We appeal to you not to patronize the smuggled broccoli; there might be income for now, but think about the long-term effect when our markets will be flooded by illegally imported broccoli,” Dawayan said.

Augusta Balanoy, adviser of the League of Associations at LTVTP, said the highland vegetable industry is still suffering from the smuggled carrots that flooded various public markets in the country, and now it is happening with broccoli. Thus, a stronger coordination among the agencies, LGUs, and the consumers are needed to combat this growing problem on vegetable smuggling.

Also present during the dialogue were Councilor Belmer Elis, Municipal Agriculturist Nida Organo, LTVTP Market Supervisor Janice , and Brenda Shagol of the CBTFA, among other members of the local vegetable farmers and traders group and the representative from the Bureau of Plant Industry and other divisions of the DA-CAR.

Photographer: 𝘖. 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯

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