18/05/2026
15 May 2026
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The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) celebrated its 10th anniversary marking a decade of contributing to the development of the highland agricultural sector. Under the theme "BAPTC @ 10: Better, Together," the milestone event brought together farmers, BAPTC personnel, local government units, and esteemed guests to honor the center's journey.
Undersecretary Roger Navarro represented the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. at the event. In his address, Navarro emphasized "working as one" as the core philosophy driving the center's longevity. He stated that progress relies on the steady unity and partnership among all stakeholders, particularly the farmers, porters, packers, and government units.
The anniversary highlighted the continuous improvement of post-harvest facilities, which remain critical to strengthening the supply chain and maximizing market opportunities for highland producers.
He also emphasized how BAPTC was originally conceptualized to serve only the province of Benguet but has significantly expanded its footprint over the last ten years. Today, BAPTC actively integrates and supports farming communities across Mountain Province and Ifugao as well.
In a moving testimonial, Brent Pasian, the farmers' representative, reflected on the challenging journey of market improvement and the inspiring growth of local farmers' organizations. Pasian shared his personal transition from working as a simple packer at the old trading post to now helping connect local farmers directly to major markets and institutions. He noted that highland farmers have transformed into agripreneurs capable of supplying their produce directly to major commercial hubs in Manila, including Ayala Malls, Taguig, and various urban centers.
Pasian also highlighted how the DA's Kadiwa program effectively brought highland produce closer to urban consumers, sharing lighthearted anecdotes from the center's early days. While some unfamiliar buyers amusingly mistook the unique highland vegetables as "food for pets," the quality quickly won over the metropolitan market. Today, urban buyers routinely praise the fresh harvest, describing it as "food for the rich."
"Farmers are risk-takers, stewards of the land, and ultimate providers," Pasian stated, honoring the communityโs resilience.
While vegetable production remains strong, Mankayan Mayor Cesar D. Pasiwen noted that the primary challenge moving forward lies in marketing and distribution rather than farming.
Mayor Pasiwen shared a bold vision for the future, expressing his dream to see local crops expand globally, โWe dream that our repolyo (cabbage) will reach the Middle East, with other races eating our homegrown produce," Pasiwen said. To achieve this, he noted the community should look toward opening additional trading posts in strategic locations to continuously expand the geographical reach of highland farmers.
To further ensure smooth coordination and address current market situations, Governor Melchor Diclas announced an upcoming Farmer's Congress on May 19. The congress will welcome 30 selected farmers per municipality to collaborate on sustainable agricultural strategies.
Recognizing that enriching farmers' lives requires safeguarding their physical well-being, the 10th anniversary also featured the official launch of the BAPTC Clinic.
This health initiative is driven by Project 4: Strengthening the Emergency Response and Health Promotion for BAPTC Stakeholders, led by Jude L. Tayaben of the Benguet State University (BSU) College of Nursing. The project operates in close collaboration with the University Health Services and the BSU College of Nursing Research and Innovation Center for Health (CN-RICH).
Richard Dumapis of the CN-RICH explained that the clinic aims to bridge existing health gaps, lower agricultural occupational hazards, such as health risks associated with the overuse of synthetic pesticides, and regularly evaluate the general health status and quality of life of the thousands of stakeholders who utilize the trading hub.
As part of the celebration, the mayors of the 12 districts, together with other government officials and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, participated in a ceremonial signing of commitment. The activity symbolized their pledge of continued cooperation and dedication to strengthening the highland vegetable industry.
The anniversary celebration went on with a networking lunch, followed by games and socialization activities, and later concluded with awards and closing rites.
