Vegetables left to wilt along mountain roads have prompted Cebu City to move goods—and farmers—at no cost.
The city government is set to roll out free transport services and possible financial assistance for upland farmers as falling farmgate prices and rising costs continue to cut into their earnings.
Mayor Nestor Archival said the program will deploy vehicles to haul agricultural products from mountain barangays to urban markets and bring farmers back home for free, reducing transport expenses that often exceed their income.
“Nabantayan na nako ang kahimtang sa farmers, labi na sa Paril. Ang ilang mga produce naa na sa daplin sa dalan, nangalata na,” Archival said, citing reports of unsold vegetables such as eggplant and bitter gourd.
He said some farmers have sought help directly, prompting site visits to assess conditions.
“Ang ilang presyo sa produce nagka-anam og kagamay. Imbis mo mahal, nibarato nuon,” he added.
Under the plan, vehicles will pick up produce in upland barangays and deliver these to designated selling points in the city, eliminating hauling costs.
“Dili na sila magbayad sa pagdala diri sa syudad. Libreng sakay na, apil na ang pag-uli nila sa bukid,” Archival said.
The service is expected to start this week, aligned with market days from Thursday to Saturday, with pickups scheduled on Thursday afternoons.
The city is also studying cash assistance for farmers, similar to subsidies previously extended to public utility drivers. Archival said funds may be sourced from excess allocations, though the amount has yet to be finalized.
“We are trying to find ways nga makahatag ta og alibyo, it could be cash,” he said, adding that discussions with finance officials and the vice mayor are ongoing.
He noted that the City Agriculture Department already provides support such as free seedlings and fertilizer, which may be expanded.
“Naa na sa program sa CAD ang seedlings ug fertilizer, kay mahal na kaayo,” he said.
Archival said prolonged dry conditions have worsened the situation in upland farms, with some areas reporting cracked soil and reduced yields.
“Lisod na ang tanom tungod sa kainit, unya ang presyo sa ilang abot nibarato pa gyud,” he said.
He added that the city is considering recommending a state of calamity in affected upland areas, pending assessment reports from the City Agriculture Department and disaster officials.
“If there is a need and naa tay basis gikan sa report, I will request a councilor to make a privilege speech to declare a state of calamity, especially for mountain farmers,” he said.
With more than 100 farmer associations in the city, officials said the upcoming assessment will determine the scale of assistance needed.
Archival emphasized that high transport costs remain a major challenge.
“Ang problema nila, ang pagdala sa ilang produkto mahal kaayo. Usahay, mas mahal pa ang plete kaysa sa ilang mabaligya,” he said.
The free transport program is intended as an immediate relief measure as the city works on longer-term solutions to stabilize prices and improve market access for upland farmers. (LLP)
Image by Jacob Maentz
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