LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – As of March 30, 2016, the Benguet AgriPinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) accredited 442 individuals and groups that are ready to perform transactions in the center within the next several weeks to maximize the utilization of the multi-million facility.
Around 247 individual farmers, 109 farmer groups, 32 packers and porters, 31 market facilitators (disposers), and 23 buyers were accredited. Farmers’ groups came from Benguet, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Tabuk, Kalinga and Nueva Vizcaya.
Mildred Licangan, BAPTC Accreditation Officer is encouraging individuals to apply for accreditation especially now that fees are temporally suspended for easy registration. The temporary suspension runs from February 22 to March 31, 2016 which is also the transition period.
On the other hand, all submitted fees from the first registrants are on the process for reimbursement.
The accreditation is mainly for profiling of all vegetable industry stakeholders who will be transacting with the center. Also, it will be used for easy monitoring of transactions performed inside the center and also to protect partners from illegalities.
Partners are advised to follow the policies implemented in the center in order to avoid cancellation of their membership.
Licangan also encourages part time students, 18 and above, who are looking for additional income during vacations to get accredited. They are required to present their school ID, submit a copy of their health certificate, and a duly accomplished accreditation form.
The BAPTC will resume its full operation this coming April 2016.
By Jerome A. Padilla
