MANILA, Philippines — Separate lanes for delivery trucks carrying agricultural products and other necessities have already been allotted to prevent long queues at the checkpoints, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said this is already being implemented at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
“Pinapatupad natin ngayon sa mga checkpoints ay yung paghihiwalay ng separate lane para po sa mga cargoes and delivery trucks at hindi na po maantala ang paghatid, ang pagpasok ng mga gulay, mga agricultural products, papasok ng kalakhang Manila,” Banac said in a press briefing.
(We implemented at the checkpoints today the separation of lanes for cargo and delivery trucks so that the ferrying vegetables and other agricultural products would not be hampered from entering Manila.)
“Naihiwalay na po ang lane para po sa mga agricultural products, sa North [Luzon] Expressway at ganun din po sa South Luzon Expressway,” he added.
(The lanes for agricultural products have been allocated at NLEX and SLEX.)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier proposed creating a separate lane for trucks carrying food supplies to ensure the free movement of basic goods during the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine over the entire Luzon which will take effect until midnight of April 13, 2020.
Delivery services, including transporting food, medicine, or other basic necessities are allowed while the stricter quarantine measure is in place.
The Philippines is now also under a state of calamity due to the rising cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Health officials have so far recorded 193 cases of COVID-19 in the country. Of the number, 14 have died while seven were able to recover.