This is a horrendous waste of food that could possibly turn into an economic distaster.
About 400,000 kilograms of vegetables valued at more than PHP8M were not sold in the La Trinidad Trading Post yesterday.
They are expected to end up rotten.
According to an ABS-CBN report, vendors at the trading post had a slow Thursday morning. The vegetables, which were usually wiped out by 7am, were left unsold until the afternoon.
“Hindi bumili ‘yung mga taga Divisoria, baka mabulok na bukas,” said Arnel Paayas from Buguias, Benguet.
(The ones from Divisoria didn’t buy [our vegetables]. They might be rotten by tomorrow)
His four tons of potatoes weren’t sold that day. Leafy greens like cabbage already went bad.
We’re not just talking of a few sackfuls of vegetables here. We have a colossal mountain that could generously feed people going hungry on the streets.
So where were the usual buyers?
Vendors think that the clearing operation in Divioria had something to do with this.
“May portion dun sa Divisoria, ‘yung Recto na portion, pinasara daw ng City of Manila, ipapalinis daw saka ire-rearrange. So siyempre ‘yung mga farmers hindi rin alam na ganun ang mangyayari, so nagharvest ‘yung mga farmer,” said Agot Balanoy, manager of the Benguet Farmers Marketing cooperative.
(The City of Manila had a portion of Divisoria shut down for cleaning and re-arrangement. Since the farmers didn’t know that, they continued to harvest.)
This incident may have a long-term impact on the farmers.
Out of the 1.2 million kilos of vegetables being bought in the La Trinidad Trading Post every day, 500,000 kilos goes to Divisoria.
Vendors plan to ask for the help of the government should the problem continue.
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