DAPTC: Monitoring the Supplies of Vegetables in Cebu

Located in the south of Cebu, Mantalungon, Dalaguete is filled with fresh crops, vegetables, and cold air. Socially known as the vegetable basket of Cebu, the 3-hour drive Mantalugon is also now the home of the Dalaguete Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (DAPTC)which was launched recently.

The event also welcomed special guests Hon. Hilario Davide, Governor of Province Cebu, Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante, Mayor of Dalaguete, and Hon. Proceso J. Alcala, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

During the preliminaries, everyone was gathered inside the DAPTC selling vegetables fresh from Mantalungon while performers were performing in the streets. The program coordinators welcomed the special guests as they proceeded to the ribbon cutting ceremony to symbolize the official opening of the trading center. It was followed by the blessing of the venue by Rev. Renato Gamorot.

Mayor Cesante thanked the Administration and President for making the launch possible and he hoped that the President would visit the DAPTC before he would earn his term as president. Mayor Cesante stated that in five years time, the DAPTC will be turned over to the farmers and association of Dalaguete.

Second district Congresman Wilfredo S. Caminero gave out a few inspirational messages. Just like Mayor Cesante, he thanked the Administration, the President, and the Mayor of Dalaguete for making DAPTC possible. He added that the Department of Agriculture (DA)wants to help make the expansion area of production more possible through the support of basic infrastructure. Gov. Davide gave out a few words himself; he stated that the DAPTC, with applied new technology, can help in monitoring the supplies of vegetables in Cebu.

Angel C. Enriquez, CESO IV, the OIC, Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture, introduced the guest speaker Proceso J. Alcala, who stated he was happy with the outcome of the DAPTC. Alcala also congratulated the special guests and farmers for a job well done.

He also stated that farmers are special because they have done a lot of hard work for Mantalungon’s crops and vegetables. He also put interest for having special training for farmers and teaching them a better planting system with technology acquired.

During the open forum, farmers raised concerns including lack of capital in production, low income, relying on commissioners and financier for farming capital, and the improvement of farm-to-market roads.

In the farms, there is a project component called pick up points, a venue where farmers can do sorting, packaging and weighing of their products which can help provide logistic support. The first four pick up points will be constructed in Mantalungon, Brgy. Langkas, Brgy. Tabon, and Brgy. Dumalan. About 94% of vegetables and crops from Mantalungon get transported to Carbon everyday and get sold at a much higher price while about 6% are brought outside the Cebu province.

With the DAPTC officially launched, the hard work paid off by the people of the Department of Agriculture, the Administration and President was worth it, and the farmers are happy to see the outcome of the DAPTC, asides from the ones who were responsible behind the DAPTC.