The days when Bangus from fish cars “flies” to police checkpoints along the road on the way to the market and when cargo trucks loaded with vegetables and perishable commodities are flagged down by “Kotong Cops” are now over.
Yesterday, in Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police, I, as Secretary of Agriculture and Fisheries, Secretary Ismael Sueno of the Dept. of Interior and Local Govt., Chairman Thomas Orbos of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, signed a Memorandum of Agreement relaunching the government’s Food Lane Project.
The Food Lane Project, which was first launched under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004 but virtually forgotten years later, will give an exemption to cargo trucks and other vehicles transporting agricultural commodities to the market from being stopped by policemen.
It also clearly states that cargo trucks and other vehicles loaded with food items are exempt from the collection of the “passing through fees” or “toll fees” imposed by many local government units in the country whose territories are traversed by roads and highways connecting food production areas to the market.
In the past, cargo haulers, traders and farmers delivering food items to the market have complained against the collection of the “passing through fees” imposed by every LGU along the way, adding up to the cost of the products which is either passed on to the consumers or results in lower buying for the produce of the farmer.
Checkpoints along the way are also notorious for mulcting and extorting passing cargo trucks of whatever these are loaded with, from Bangus, chicken, bananas and even newspapers which are just thrown from the passing trucks to the checkpoints in full view of the public.
Truckers and farmers who would like to avail of this “Food Lane Project” privilege could go to the nearest Regional Office of the Dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries or in the Agricultural Marketing Assistance Service Department in the DAF Central Office on Elliptical Road in Quezon City.
They will then be issued stickers which will be pasted on their windshields and given Certificates signed by representatives of the four agencies.
Yesterday, DILG Sec. Sueno warned local government units that they could face administrative charges if they will continue to collect passing through fees from truckers.
MMDA Chairman Orbos said MMDA personnel assigned in the metropolitan streets leading to the markets like Divisoria will also be advised not to stop and even give priority to the passage of the trucks with “Food Lane Project” stickers.
PNP Chief Dela Rosa also directed policemen manning checkpoints not to stop or harass trucks and vehicles loaded with food items.
On the issue that the system could be exploited by criminal syndicates to transport contraband items, including drugs, to avoid the checkpoints, the PNP Chief said the Police Intelligence Service will be tasked in monitoring these activities.
The “Food Lane Project” started yesterday and those who would like to avail of this privilege are advised to go to the nearest DAF offices.
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