LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — In a direct move to stabilize food prices and protect the livelihoods of Highland farmers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved toll-free passage for trucks transporting salad vegetables from Benguet to various markets across the country.
The announcement was made on Friday, April 17, 2026, during the President’s visit to major trading hubs in La Trinidad, where he personally consulted with local farmers and agricultural stakeholders about the economic pressures caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran and its impact on fuel costs.
The waiver of toll fees is part of a broader emergency package designed to ensure that the supply chain for essential food items remain intact:
- Targeted Support: The toll-free privilege specifically applies to trucks hauling Benguet-grown salad vegetables—such as lettuce, carrots, and cabbage—which are vital staples for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
- Economic Shield: By removing toll expenses, the government aims to offset the sharp rise in diesel prices, preventing these logistical costs from being passed on to consumers at the retail level.
- DA Verification: To prevent abuse, Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel noted that only trucks officially listed with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and carrying valid agricultural cargo will be eligible for the waiver.
Beyond immediate logistical relief, the President’s visit to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) and the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post resulted in several long-term commitments:
- New Processing Plant: Marcos approved a proposal to establish a modern processing facility in Benguet dedicated to carrots and other perishable crops. This facility will allow farmers to process “surplus” or “reject” crops into secondary products like juices or powders, reducing waste.
- Cold Storage Expansion: Plans were discussed to increase cold storage capacity in the region to help regulate supply during peak harvest seasons and prevent the drastic price drops that often hurt farmers.
The President emphasized that the high-value crops coming out of the Cordilleras are essential to national food security. “We cannot allow our farmers to stop producing because of costs they cannot control,” Marcos stated during his town hall meeting.
By addressing both the immediate cost of transportation and the long-term need for processing infrastructure, the administration hopes to create a more resilient agricultural sector that can withstand global economic shocks. For the thousands of farmers in the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines,” the toll waiver provides a much-needed financial breathing spell as they navigate the current energy crisis.