BENGUET

Steady supply of upland veggies assured -- execs
BY DEXTER A. SEE

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Farmers and local officials here assured steady supply of highland vegetables to the lowlands despite heavy downpour in the Cordillera the past weeks.

The steady supply of vegetables to the lowlands was indicated by the oversupply of farm products at the vegetable trading post here in the past several days amidst the continuous rains, an indication that the downpour has not disrupted the supply chain.

Local officials said assurance of a steady supply off vegetables from the this province is expected to prevent smugglers from using the downpour as a reason to bring imported vegetables from China.

This would mean produce of local farmers could meet the demand of buyers in Metro Manila, local officials said.

It had been the practice of unscrupulous people to take advantage of the heavy rains and landslides in the cordillera to justify the importation of vegetables.

There is an artificial shortage if the local product is not brought to the trading post on time and there are no vegetables for the buyers to purchase for their customers in the lowlands and Metro Manila.

The Cordillera and other parts of Luzon continue to experience heavy rains spawned by typhoons “Chedeng” “Dodong” and “Egay.”

It was learned that some 200 truckloads of newly harvested vegetables were not brought the trading post here because there was no buyer from the lowlands and Metro Manila.

So far, there was no report of damage caused to the agriculture sector here by the continuous heavy rains.

The infrastructure ands agriculture sectors frequently suffer from damages when natural calamities like typhoons hit the country especially during the rainy season.

Some 250,000 residents in the 13 municipalities of Benguet rely on vegetable farming as their primary source of income.

This vegetable-producing province supplies at least 80 percent of the vegetable needs of the country.

However, leaders of several farmers groups said that the province could supply the vegetable demand of the country if it is given a chance to do so.

At least 300 truckloads of vegetables leave daily the trading post here to deliver the produce to the lowland and Metro Manila markets.


Stabbed victims escape death

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Two separate incidents of stabbing were reported last week in the towns of Itogon and La Trinidad, Benguet last week.

The first incident happened on August 13, at about 11 p.m. at Bunk house 5, Balatoc Mines, Virac, Itogon wherein one Ismael Avelino y Sawey 19, miner, single of Aluling, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur and presently residing at Virac was allegedly stabbed by one Alex Lumpisa y Bulayoc, 35, married of Banao, Mountain Province and residing at Bunk house 2 of the same place.

Investigation disclosed the two were having a drinking spree when the suspect suddenly stabbed the victim once at the back using a bladed object.

The victim was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and was confined for medical treatment. The suspect was later apprehended by Barangay Tuding police of Itogon upon positive identification by witnesses.

In another incident on August 14 around 12 noon at FA -160 Copite Bulding, km 5, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet, a staff nurse of the Baguio General Hospital was stabbed by one Mapang-at, native of Leseb, Bauko, Mountain Province.

The suspect knocked at the door of the victim identified as Leo Bantawan y Manino, 31 of Leseb, Bauko who was residing at the boarding house of the victim.

Investigation disclosed the suspect introduced himself as his cousin and townmate and went to the victim’s room purportedly to sleep.

However, when Mapnag-at was inside, he allegedly strangled the victim with the use of a cord but the victim fought back.

The suspect stabbed Bantawan on his left abdomen and lacerated his neck and left arm. The suspect immediately ran outside when the victim shouted for help.

Bantawan is now confined at BGH-Baguio. The victim narrated that he might have been robbed of his belongings if he did not fight back.