The Department of Agriculture Region 10 led the deployment of trucks to haul agricultural products from upland areas to urban markets and barangays free of charge amid the El Niño threat.
DA Region 10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan explained that the government stepped in because retail prices in Bulua surged by up to 200% compared to farmgate prices due to high transportation costs.
With government-assisted transport, sweet potatoes—which would have reached 60 pesos per kilo in the city despite being bought at 10 to 15 pesos in the mountains—can now be purchased for just 25 pesos.
Additionally, the office partnered with major cooperatives like PROCOOP and FICCO to serve as off-takers providing funds to buy produce directly from farmers.
