Some vegetable farmers in this province have found viable markets to sell their tons of harvested squash.

This, after the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3, through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), assisted the Buted Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) Association in Talugtug town.

Tons of harvested squash were waiting to be sold in markets as restricted movements of goods prevented the farmers from selling their produce.

Carmencita Nogoy, the senior agriculturist of the DA-AMAD, said in a statement on Monday that they linked the Buted SWIP Association to Ateneo de Manila and Tanging Yaman Foundation which bought a total of 58 metric tons.

Nogoy said that 30 metric tons were sold to the Ateneo de Manila and another 28 metric tons to the Ateneo Center for Educational Development, in tandem with the Tanging Yaman.

The Ateneo de Manila, she said, has long been a partner of DA-AMAD, and buys the produce of local farmers especially those from Central Luzon.

On the other hand, she said the Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is helping Filipinos in need.

“The squash they bought will be used as a relief to nearby communities, especially those who have been severely affected by the pandemic,” Nogoy said.

Aside from the market linkage, she said the AMAD took charge of the trucking of the harvested squash.

Likewise, Nogoy said the Buted SWIP Association members will also sell their harvested squash to the “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” outlets at Camp Olivas located along MacArthur Highway, City of San Fernando, Pampanga and Phoenix Gasoline Station in Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City. (PNA)