LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (April 17, 2026)— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday inspected the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC), as the government ramped up both emergency and long-term measures to help Cordillera farmers cope with surging fuel and logistics costs amid the energy crisis.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., who accompanied President Marcos during the visit, underscored the urgency of stabilizing supply chains, warning that disruptions in vegetable transport are beginning to affect both farmer incomes and food availability in key markets.
The BAPTC is one of the three major trading hubs for highland vegetables, moving around 165,000 tons annually valued at about P6.4 Billion or 17 million daily. It links more than 110 farmers daily to buyers in Metro Manila and other major demand centers, distributing crops such as cabbage, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, broccoli, and bell peppers.
President Marcos has directed the Department of Agriculture to address the supply disruption quickly by providing market assistance as well as deploying government trucks to haul produce directly from farms to markets, easing bottlenecks and preventing losses.
During the visit, the government distributed P15.4 million worth of production inputs, machinery, and trading capital to 45 farmer cooperatives and associations. This forms part of a wider P859.6 million CAR allocation for 2026, covering seeds, fertilizers, irrigation support, post-harvest equipment, and training services benefiting over 1,300 groups and 3,700 individuals. ### (Photos by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID)
