Enough vegetable supplies despite frost damage: execs

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Despite the increasing frost damage to vast tracts of vegetable farms in highly elevated areas like this province, government officials said there is no need to import vegetables from China.

The provincial and municipal governments claimed the frost damage on vegetables in Atok, Buguias, Kibugan, Mankayan and some parts of Tuba as well as Bauko, Mountain Province do not generally affect the supply of vegetables that are being brought to markets in lowlands and Metro Manila areas.

While the Department of Agriculture continues to downplay the effects of frost to the steady supply of highland vegetables, farmers in Benguet and Mountain Province said their harvest can sustain the need of the market. -- Dexter A. See