Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap expressed his deep gratitude to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. following the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) defense of major agricultural infrastructure projects for the province.
Yap praised Tiu Laurel for championing the needs of Benguet farmers after the agency stood behind proposed funding for key farm-to-market roads and cold storage facilities aimed at resolving the region’s post-harvest struggles.
“Finally, we have an Agriculture Secretary that truly cares for Benguet farmers. We will be one of the top priorities of the government in terms of providing long term solutions to our perennial problems,” Yap said.
The lawmaker commended Tiu Laurel’s commitment during national budget deliberations, specifically highlighting the DA’s efforts to include vital rural road development in the proposed General Appropriations Bill.
“Saludo kami sayo Secretary Laurel, sa pagtindig at pagbibigay importansya para sa mga farmers namin sa Benguet at sa pagtitiyak na maisasama sa General Appropriations Bill ang mga pondo para sa maraming farm to market roads sa probinsya,” Yap said.
For years, high-altitude vegetable growers in Benguet have faced severe logistical bottlenecks that led to rotting produce and crashing market prices.
Yap noted that Tiu Laurel’s decisive push for post-harvest interventions—including a mega cold storage unit and processing plant—marks a major turning point for local agriculture.
“Matagal nang problema yung mga tinatapon na mga gulay, o yung pagbagsak ng presyo nito sa market. But our Secretary said enough is enough. Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa commitment nya na magtatayo ng mega cold storage facilty and processing plant. We truly thank our government for finally responding to our appeal. Hindi nasayang ang pagod at efforts natin to make sure that our voices are heard and amplified,” Yap noted.
Although the proposals must still clear final congressional approval, Yap voiced confidence that the projects will move forward under the leadership of the agriculture chief and legislative supporters.
“More work to be done hangga’t hindi pa naisasama sa magiging GAA for 2027 but I am confident that no less than Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. championing this, and our supportive leadership in Congress, we will see this plan come into fruition,” Yap said. “Sec, muli po, maraming salamat sa pagtindig para sa aming mga magsasaka sa Benguet.” NLMonitor
