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Josiah Antonio - The Philippine Star
April 18, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos inspected yesterday key vegetable trading hubs in Benguet and rolled out a mix of emergency and long-term measures to cushion farmers from surging fuel and logistics costs that have begun disrupting supply chains.
During his visit to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) and the nearby La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, the President led the distribution of P15.79 million worth of farm inputs, machinery and trading capital to 45 farmer cooperatives and associations.
Marcos also personally purchased 20 tons of assorted vegetables through the Office of the President, with the goods loaded onto seven buses for distribution to underserved communities and government institutions.
“We are here now at the Trading Center… because we were surprised by reports that due to the increase in diesel prices, vegetables from here, in the Mountain Province, here in the mountainous areas, are no longer transported to other areas. So we looked into it and found ways to address it,” Marcos said in Filipino.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who accompanied the President, said the purchased goods will be delivered to communities in Navotas, Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Pasay and Quezon City, as well as to facilities such as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Department of Social Welfare and Development Walang Gutom Centers.
“The President himself purchased agri goods from here. These were loaded into seven buses,” Tiu Laurel said.
The intervention comes as rising diesel prices have increased logistics costs, prompting some farmers to delay harvests or shipments while risking spoilage.
Transport expenses alone add around P2 to P5 per kilo to retail prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
To address the disruption, Marcos announced a package of measures, including a P10-per-liter reduction in diesel prices, the waiver of certain local government charges and a one-month suspension of toll fees for trucks hauling agricultural products.
“For now, they will no longer have to pay, for a short time, until we resolve the problem of rising oil prices,” Marcos said in Filipino, referring to toll fees.
The DA said the toll waiver will take effect on April 20 for accredited cargo vehicles and will run for one month, subject to review.
“This will help cushion the impact of higher fuel prices on food supply and affordability, and help protect farmers’ incomes during these challenging times,” Tiu Laurel said.
According to the DA’s estimates, the toll waiver could save between P1,500 to P3,000 per trip for more than 1,100 trucks under the Food Lane program. This translates to about P52 million to P105 million over one month.
The government has also deployed agricultural trucks and coordinated logistics support, including backloading and market matching, to ensure continuous movement of goods and prevent bottlenecks, supply disruptions and price spikes.
As of mid-April, nearly 28 metric tons of vegetables have been transported, with an additional 57 metric tons scheduled for delivery.
The BAPTC remains a critical hub in the country’s food supply chain, handling about 165,000 metric tons of vegetables annually and linking more than 100 farmers daily to buyers in Metro Manila and other major markets.
Tiu Laurel emphasized that disruptions in Benguet’s highland farms could affect nationwide food availability.
“Highlands farmers are at the heart of our vegetable supply chain, ensuring a steady, reliable flow of highland produce not only for everyday consumers in wet markets but also for institutional buyers such as supermarkets, restaurants and food service providers across the country,” he said.
“When they are affected, the entire supply chain feels the impact, which is why sustaining their productivity and market access is a top priority,” he added.
Beyond immediate relief, the government is pursuing long-term solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and improve efficiency.
Marcos approved the establishment of a vegetable processing center at the BAPTC, which will include dehydrators and freezing equipment to extend the shelf life of produce.
A non-operational cold storage facility in the area will also be rehabilitated within six months, alongside the construction of an additional unit while Benguet State University has committed to provide a site for the project.
According to the DA, these investments form part of a broader P859.6-million allocation for the Cordillera Administrative Region this year, covering seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, post-harvest facilities and training services for more than 1,300 groups and 3,700 individuals. — Helen Flores, Artemio Dumlao, Adrian Kenneth Halili
