A senator has floated the idea of channeling unsold vegetables from Benguet to communities affected by disasters, a move that would reduce agricultural waste while ensuring a steady supply of relief goods.
In a statement, the lawmaker noted that vegetable farmers in Benguet often face losses when harvests exceed market demand, leaving them with no choice but to discard their produce. Instead of letting these go to waste, the senator proposed that the government step in to purchase or collect the excess and include them in aid packages for evacuation centers and calamity-hit areas.
The proposal calls on the Department of Agriculture, the Office of Civil Defense, and local government units to cooperate in establishing a system for rapid deployment of fresh vegetables to disaster zones. The senator emphasized that this initiative would help sustain farmers’ income while providing nutritious food to evacuees.
If implemented, the program could serve as a relief mechanism during typhoons, landslides, and other emergencies, which frequently strike the country. The senator urged concerned agencies to study the feasibility and logistics of such an arrangement, particularly in terms of transport, storage, and shelf-life management.
The lawmaker also encouraged the private sector, including supermarket chains and food processors, to participate in buying surplus produce from Benguet farmers, further minimizing waste. The proposal is seen as a practical approach to addressing two pressing concerns—food security in times of calamity and the welfare of Filipino farmers.