GMA Kapuso Foundation sends help to farmers, truck drivers in Mt. Province amid high fuel prices

The sharp rise in fuel prices continues to take a heavy toll on the livelihoods of many Filipinos, particularly vegetable farmers and truck drivers from Mt. Province.

In Mel Tiangco's report in "24 Oras" on Wednesday, Ofelia Galangco, secretary of the Highland Farmer Traders and Truckers Association, said the situation has strained both farmers and traders.

"Kailangan natin tulungan ang farmers na mag-dispose ng mga gulay nila so ang ibig sabihin nun nagsa-sacrifice 'yung trader. Lahat ng kulang dun sa diesel inaabonohan ng operator ng mga trucks," she said.

Vegetable farmer Huwebes Mac-Eng is one of the many who can no longer sustain these rising costs, forcing him to temporarily stop delivering his produce.

"Nakatambay 'yung sasakyan namin dito. 'Yung presyo ng langis pataas nang pataas, 'yung presyo ng gulay pababa nang pababa," he shared.

Middlemen or disposers are also feeling the impact. Jimmy Diyaoyao said their harvests often go to waste due to low demand in Metro Manila, forcing them to sell at a loss.

"Mabigat sa farmer. hindi nila iniisip 'yung lugi nila para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga Filipino," Jimmy said.

To prevent further waste, farmers are now resorting to various strategies, including selling produce by the roadside or partnering with programs like Kadiwa, which buy vegetables that cannot be transported to larger markets.

"Sa ibang partners katulad ng Kadiwa pumunta dito para bilhin 'yung ibang gulay na di madala sa market at 'yung farmers din binebenta sa gilid ang gulay nila," Barangay Captain Feleberto Bosongan of Monamon Sur in Bauko, Mt. Province said.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation continues to extend assistance to affected communities in Bauko, Mountain Province, through its Operation Bayanihan project, providing much-needed support to farmers struggling to cope with rising costs and shrinking profits.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News