A whole-of-nation “bayanihan” effort is helping Cordillera farmers sell their products amid oversupply and falling prices, with the private sector, government offices, and individuals working hand-in-hand to address the crisis, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Cordillera said Monday.

“Everybody – the private sector, government offices, individuals – is helping to help our farmers, and we are thankful that the Filipino way of bayanihan is active as farmers face the challenges,” said lawyer Jennilyn Dawayan, regional director of DA-CAR, in a phone interview.

The oversupply, particularly of cabbage, began in March after farmers replaced weather-damaged crops with cabbage, which had recorded good sales in the previous season. The situation worsened with fuel price hikes that reduced the number of buyers arriving at trading posts.

Data shows the excess cabbage will extend until June or July, averaging about 20 tons per day.

DA-CAR is providing Kadiwa trucks and shouldering transportation costs from farms to direct buyers, while also linking farmers and cooperatives to assured buyers outside the region.

“We need to have crop management, not just crop programming, to prevent a repeat of this situation,” Dawayan said.

“Nakikita natin ang effort ng lahat. Nagtutulungan para makatulong sa farmers na maibenta ang supplies nila. Maganda iyan pero kailangan magkaroon ng coordination lahat ng stakeholders para hindi na ito maulit (We see everyone’s effort. They are helping farmers sell their supplies, which is good, but all stakeholders need to coordinate to prevent a repeat of this scenario).”

Dawayan said Cordillera farmers must realize that highland vegetables, including cabbage, are no longer produced only in Cordillera – Ilocos Region, Visayas, and even Mindanao now grow the same crops.

“It is not just about crop programming but management of crops because there are other regions involved. We in the DA, the regions producing the same commodities, have started benchmarking and planning because we need to act in unison. We just hope that farmers will also work together,” she said.

Meanwhile, John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), signed a memorandum of understanding with the municipalities of Bakun and Buguias in Benguet for a vegetable recovery project, providing local farmers with a dedicated venue at Scout Hill, Camp John Hay.

The rolling market opened on May 30 and will operate until supplies last.

“Camp John Hay welcomes collaboration with a strong focus on community –and you are part of the community that sustains the Camp John Hay system. Together, let us build a gateway for farmers beyond Benguet, bridging the gap between farms and markets while strengthening agricultural connections,” JHMC President and chief executive officer Manjit Singh Reandi. (PNA)