DA to propose special lanes for food trucks entering NCR

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recommended the designation of special lanes for food trucks and vans at entry points to Metro Manila to ensure unhampered movement of agricultural commodities into the capital region during the lockdown.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar told reporters on Monday that his agency would raise the plan to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases in view of the traffic buildup at the checkpoints that, he said, could result in delays in the delivery of food to markets in the metropolis.

Authorities have established 65 entry points to Metro Manila, but Dar said traffic through them was heavy “because of the checkpoints.”

Food lanes

“[S]o we want food lanes, that is our intention … This is to ensure that the movement of goods, including the food supply chain, would not be slowed down,” he said.

“We are coordinating with all accredited truckers, logistics and refrigerated van operators for the faster passage of agricultural goods. We will guarantee that quarantine measures will still be observed while ensuring that we have enough supply of commodities that are arriving from other regions,” he added.

Only trucks and suppliers with accreditation from the agriculture department can use the proposed special lanes.

A copy of the list of accredited truckers and suppliers will be provided to authorities manning the checkpoints to hasten inspection.

The food lane will allow the movement of agro-fishery products (fruits, vegetables, rice, fish, poultry and livestock and related products) and agri-fishery inputs (fertilizers, feed, feed ingredients).

For shipments under the National Food Authority, the agriculture department said there would be free delivery of rice daily to three or five authorized distributors in all major markets in the metropolis.

Adequate supply

Dar gave assurance of adequate food supply for the monthlong lockdown.

The DA has opened new drop-off points and new sites for its “Kadiwa ni Ani and Kita” program where people can buy good quality agricultural produce at affordable prices.

It is working with local governments to expand drop-off points and food deliveries to government offices, schools, barangay halls and subdivisions. The food will be in retail-ready packs to avoid contamination.Fishing in Manila Bay and other waters would also remain unimpeded, including ports operations, it said.

The agency earlier said the country’s rice supply was good for 35 weeks or the equivalent of nine months.

It said the 16 cities and one town in Metro Manila would be supplied with 13,000 metric tons (MT) of vegetables and 11,000 MT of pork and chicken weekly — enough for the current demand in the region.