The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured farmers here that it is preparing aid to cushion the impact of the oil crisis on the vegetable industry and prevent disruptions in the food chain.

“This is not just us in the Philippines but worldwide. Tuloy pa rin tayo sa ginagawa natin kasi ang DA may plano. We need short-term plans and we are doing a long-term plan kaya ginagawa natin ang consultations para hindi na na-uulit ang ganitong sitwasyon (We have to continue with our food production activities because the DA has plans. We have short- and long-term plans, which is why we are conducting consultations to prevent a repeat of this situation),” DA Assistant Secretary for Logistics Daniel Atayde told stakeholders.

Atayde led the consultation alongside DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) office and municipal officials, and Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog on Wednesday.

Suggestions from the grassroots included the repair of roads damaged by Typhoon Uwan in November 2025 to shorten transport routes, provision of solar-powered irrigation facilities to replace fuel-run pumps, and additional livelihood support such as animal raising.

Atayde noted that two proposed farm-to-market road projects here were approved in principle, pending document completion. He also visited a solar-powered modular cold chain storage facility, which is awaiting installation.

Solar power

Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito said the facility would operate entirely on solar energy, eliminating electricity costs.

“The powerhouse is ready and the dome can be installed immediately. We are just awaiting the solar panels, batteries and the cooling system. It will not entail electricity consumption because it will be run by solar, which is important given the good source of natural light here,” Benito said.

Tinoc is the eighth top producer of highland vegetables in the region, with 4,133 hectares utilized for cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and other crops.

DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Jennilyn Dawayan said that while supply remains stable, transportation costs have tripled. She said the department would propose fuel subsidies, discounts and the use of Kadiwa trucks to help farmers market their produce.

“We link the farmers because it pains us to see vegetables left rotting on the farms because they are not harvested due to the cost of transportation,” Dawayan said.

Food hub

Atayde also shared that the DA is in talks with the Region 1 (Ilocos) office to establish a food hub. This facility would allow farmers from both regions to consolidate produce for transport to the Visayas and Mindanao, cutting down overall logistics costs.

He said the food hub project is a long-term measure to prevent future food chain disruptions. (PNA)