Air Force buys Benguet veggies for fire victims

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET—Philippine Air Force personnel on Wednesday bought 13 tons of assorted salad vegetables at the La Trinidad trading post here for distribution to fire victims and poor families in Metro Manila.

Their initiative has helped sustain the vegetable trade since it slowed down due to the Luzon-wide lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Capt. Edward Licnachan said carrots, cabbages, beans and potatoes would be given to families who lost their homes to a fire and to low-income communities in Binondo and Tondo districts in Manila.

“We will also give vegetables to our medical front-liners until supply lasts,” said Licnachan, who hails from Ifugao province.

“We recalled that some farmers threw away their produce because they could not sell these. So we decided to help our farmers and others who are in need as well,” he said.

Agot Balanoy of the League of Associations at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Area Inc. said her group added three tons to what the Air Force bought as their assistance. —KIMBERLIE QUITASOL