By Lane Afable, News Editor
Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun implementing toll-free access for trucks carrying agricultural products to ensure an unhampered supply of food and keep prices stable.
At a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DA, led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., has intensified the government’s Food Lane Program through the launching of the “Agri-Trucks Toll-Free Program.”
The initiative, which took effect on April 20, grants toll-free passage to DA-accredited agricultural transport vehicles to reduce logistics costs and speed up food distribution, especially amid rising fuel prices.
“Pinalawak din ng Department of Agriculture ang programa sa pamamagitan ng mas mabilis at pinadaling proseso ng aplikasyon,” said Castro.
The program is part of the UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) Tulong sa Agri Sector, an initiative of the Marcos administration that seeks to support farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers nationwide in the wake of fluctuating global fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.
“Tugon din ito sa programa ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. para sa sektor ng agrikultura,” Castro said.
