Malaca±ang: Local government units (LGUs) have been urged by Malaca±ang to expedite the movement of food products by eliminating bottlenecks, as part of the government's strategy to reduce prices in the face of high fuel costs triggered by the Middle East crisis.
According to Philippines News Agency, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the need for the swift accreditation of farmers and traders to allow them to benefit from toll and port fee waivers, as previously directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This initiative is part of a government effort to mitigate rising food prices, which began on April 20 with the implementation of a toll holiday for food trucks. These trucks are also exempt from truck bans in Metro Manila, and LGUs' delivery fees have been suspended to lower logistics costs.
Recto stressed the importance of prompt accreditation, stating, "This begins with the speedy accreditation of farmers and traders who are qualified for the toll fee waiver." He also highlighted the need to avoid unnecessary delays along transport routes, warning against unwarranted stops and inspections by police and LGU checkpoints, which can cause travel delays and increase fuel consumption.
Reducing delivery time is crucial, particularly during peak harvest seasons when produce is most perishable. Recto noted the urgency in reducing both the time and cost it takes for produce to reach the market. These measures are part of a comprehensive government response to address the impact of rising oil prices on food costs, which also includes fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk and direct procurement of produce by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Under the DA's Food Lane Program, 1,162 accredited trucks have the capacity to transport up to 7 million kilos of food daily to major markets. The government is urging more truckers to renew their accreditation to increase coverage. Additionally, the Philippine Ports Authority has lowered roll-on, roll-off terminal fees for agricultural cargo vehicles to PHP1, down from as much as PHP516, while the Maritime Industry Authority has reduced regulatory fees by up to 75 percent to support inter-island transport.
Recto explained that these measures are intended to cut logistics costs, which can add an estimated PHP5 to PHP7 per kilo to food prices. He projected that if 3,000 trucks take advantage of the toll waivers, the total savings could amount to PHP150 million to PHP165 million monthly.
With food transport being inter-island, Recto underlined the need for support throughout the supply chain, saying, "Inter-island ang biyahe ng pagkain. Kaya lahat ng nasa supply chain. dapat matulungan (Food transport is inter-island, so everyone in the supply chain must be supported)." The government remains committed to streamlining food logistics to ensure a stable supply and affordable prices for consumers.
