Joey Baclayon, head of the City Agriculture Department, said vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce are being sold between P2 and P5 per kilo. Before, cabbage and lettuce were priced at P60 to P80.
Baclayon said this part of the year is considered harvest season which is the primary reason for the oversupply.
“Farmers are now harvesting what they planted in January, February, and March,” said Baclayon.
Baclayon said the city has been assisting the farmers by helping them find markets where they can sold their merchandise at a competitive price.
In the markets where farmers from the city’s mountain barangays can sold their harvest, cabbage or lettuce can be sold from P40 to P50.
The city has also provided the farmers with hauling trucks to transport their harvests from the farm to the markets.
“We are really trying hard to help our farmers. We are trying to put up “bagsakan” (drop off) centers. Some of our farmers are also afraid to bring their harvests to the mainland due to fear over COVID-19,” Baclayon said.
Baclayon added that the city is planning to revive the “Tugbong Tabo sa City Hall” subject to the conditions set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Tugbong Tabo, an activity where farmers sell their products in front of the City Hall, was used to be done every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
“We are still finalizing the set up so that health protocols will not be violated,” Baclayon said.
City Hall records showed that there are at least 9,000 farmers from 29 upland barangays in the city.
These farmers are enrolled with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. wherein they can availed of financial assistance during natural calamities that may result damages to their crops.