20-23 April 2026

Action took the form of nearly a thousand kilograms of highland vegetables as the Benguet State University Supreme Student Government (BSU-SSG) partnered with the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR) to launch the “Flea Market for a Cause.”

Held from April 20 to 23, 2026, in front of the BSU Marketing Center, the initiative bypassed traditional middlemen, allowing the Cacadcadaan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, through DA-CAR, to bring their produce directly to the student body. The result was an overwhelming success, totaling 932 kilograms of sold commodities, proving that student-led interventions can provide tangible economic relief to farming communities during volatile times.

Under the banner of “Tindig para sa mga Magsasaka,” the SSG and DA-CAR designed the flea market to address the rising economic threat of the global oil crisis. As rising fuel prices drive up transportation costs and empower middlemen to lower farmgate prices, this direct-to-consumer model served as a vital buffer.

By utilizing DA-CAR logistics to move stocks directly from the cooperative to the campus, the project eliminated the “fuel-inflated” margins of intermediaries. This ensured that farmers received the full value of their labor while the university community accessed fresh nutrition at affordable, stabilized prices.

The campus response translated into significant sales over the four-day period. The logistics of the shortened supply chain allowed for a massive movement of goods:

APRIL 20, 2026

Potato (200 kgs)

Cabbage (100 kgs)

Tomato (94 kgs)

APRIL 21–22, 2026

Potato (300 kgs)

Tomato (38 kgs)

Cauliflower (40 kgs)

Cucumber (30 kgs)

Beans (20 kgs)

Broccoli (40 kgs)

APRIL 23, 2026

Cucumber (50 kgs)

Broccoli (50 kgs)

Tomato (20 kgs)

Potato (80 kgs)

The market concluded on April 23 with a total sell-out of all stocks, reflecting the strong support of the university community.

According to the organizers, the level of support exceeded their expectations.

“We feel overwhelmed and our hearts are full with how the BSU community supported this initiative,” they shared. “On our first day, we ordered around 390 kilograms of vegetables, thinking that this would last until the end of the event, but it was sold out within the day.”

Because of the unexpectedly high demand, the organizers had to continuously replenish supplies. “We actually had to put our orders almost daily because many people were buying. Last Wednesday was the only time we didn’t place an order since there was no transportation, so on Thursday we went to BPTC ourselves to collect the vegetables,” they added. “We didn’t expect that there would be so many buyers interested in helping with the initiative.”

Buyers also expressed appreciation for the activity, recognizing it as a sign of student awareness and engagement with social issues. One student buyer remarked that the flea market was “a good initiative, proving that students are aware and able to move against crises.”

Beyond the numbers, the activity reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the bond between producers and consumers. By bringing the farm to the campus, the initiative helped farmers access a broader market while encouraging students and staff to prioritize locally grown produce.

The “Flea Market for a Cause” demonstrates how student-led advocacy can contribute to community development. Through collaboration with government agencies and farmer organizations, the activity highlights the important role students play in creating sustainable agricultural support systems in the face of economic shocks.

Indeed, the initiative stands as a testament that when students step beyond the classroom, they become catalysts of change- true Students in Action, and students for development.// CD De Guzman