The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the food resiliency protocol proposed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to speed up transport of major agri-fishery commodities to Metro Manila and other urban areas in Luzon.
The DA protocol includes free movement of farmers, fishers, workers in food processing and manufacturing firms, and food supply chain logistics providers.
“Iniiwasan po natin na mayroong mabubulok na mga gulay at iba pang produkto dahil sa mabagal na galaw ng mga ito [We’re trying to avoid vegetables and other products spoiling because of their slow movement]. Let’s make food delivery efficient and fast, para walang Pilipino ang magutom [so that no Filipino goes hungry],” DA Secretary William Dar said in a statement.
“Maliban dito, iniiwasan nating tumaas ang presyo ng mga pagkain at pangunahing bilihin [We’re also avoiding the spiraling of prices of food and other basic goods],” the DA chief added.
Dar said DA is closely coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local government units (LGU), Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines “to untangle the unnecessary protocol” imposed at checkpoints during the enhanced community quarantine.
On March 25, Dar joined DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in a teleconference with food value chain logistics providers to resolve issues that hamper the free flow of various food products and cargoes to Metro Manila and other urban areas.
It was during the teleconference initiated by the DTI that Dar shared DA’s recommendations with logistics providers, truckers, customs brokers, shipping lines, and the Bureau of Customs.
The DA protocol was also reinforced by an advisory issued by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on March 25 addressed to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, barangay leaders, other LGU officials, and DILG regional directors and field men nationwide.
In his advisory, Año reiterated that the movement of food and essential goods should remain unhampered as set forth by the IATF and pertinent issuances by the various national government agencies, including DA, DTI, and DILG.
