Food lanes soon in Metro Manila

The government is set to implement a food lane project that seeks to expedite the delivery of agri-fishery commodities to Metro Manila’s key cities.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed by the Department of Agriculture ( DA), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to establish food lanes in the metro.

The food lanes are routes along major streets and highways in the National Capital Region.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said the government would designate food lane routes to ensure efficient delivery of agri-fishery commodities, reduce post-harvest losses and transportation costs through eliminating additional fees and unnecessary checkpoints.

“The project is in line with President Duterte’s campaign against corruption and kotong cops by ensuring the elimination of additional fees and checkpoints which actually add to the cost carried by farmers and fisherfolk,” Piñol said.

Under the agreement, the DA will accredit all individuals or companies that deliver farm and fishery products to allow the use of food lane routes and be exempted from the truck ban.

Accreditation will be required from duly registered individuals or companies that deliver farm and fishery goods and products before they are allowed to use the food lane routes and be exempted from the truck ban.

All transport carriers for livestock, poultry and by-products must also be registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service prior to the approval of the food lane accreditation.

The project aims to institutionalize the efficient distribution of agri-fishery products from production sites to the major demand centers of Metro Manila and in the regions.

Data showed that the project would reduce post- harvest losses estimated at 22 percent of retail cost and reduce trading layers by 18 percent, and eradicate informal cost by two percent.

Agricultural commodities include perishable products like fresh fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry and by-products, eggs, fresh and frozen meat, fish and marine products, processed food products, feeds, fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs.

Meanwhile, the DILG will ensure the full cooperation of the local government units by enforcing the provisions and assist in the monitoring of their compliance.

The MMDA, for its part, will define and implement traffic rules and regulation, assist in the quick delivery and flow of agri- commodities to the consuming public, and ensure the complete availability of identified routes.

The PNP is also in charge of the validation and evaluation of applicants for accreditation of the project to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, registered, and have no pending cases.