00:00With the homeland under national energy emergency status, the interests of a sector which feeds the nation's hungry mouths deserve
00:06prioritization.
00:08Hence, cargo trucks laden with produce and bound for public markets in the megacity and elsewhere need to be charged
00:14the least of tollway fees.
00:16Our Vincent Elijah Canlas tells us more.
00:21The Department of Agriculture is implementing a monthly toll privilege for trucks delivering agricultural products until May 20.
00:29This move is in response to the state of energy emergency pursuant to the Executive Order 110 issued by President
00:36Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
00:38Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro stated, it is vital to protect the income of farmers and ensure the nation's food
00:44supply.
00:45Food is the basic and essential need. We must protect our farmers' incomes, ensure the profitability of those in the
00:57agriculture value chain, and safeguard consumers' welfare.
01:04According to Undersecretary Array Perez, the Food Lane Project, which began during the pandemic, has over a thousand registered trucks
01:11right now.
01:12Perez emphasized the need to increase the numbers of accredited agri-trucks so more producers and truckers can benefit from
01:18logistic supports.
01:19Instead the discount na unang binigay sa mga agri-trucks, eh, naging free toll na, 100%. 100% libre ho
01:31ang toll ng ating mga agri-trucks.
01:33Regional offices have also activated routes, passing through toll expressways such as TPLEX, NLEX, SLEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, and STAR Tollway.
01:43Truckers may pass through all tollways as long as they are registered in the database submitted to the toll regulatory
01:49board.
01:49According to the DA, this is a significant reduction in expenses for truckers especially with prevailing high fuel prices.
01:57Aside from expressways, the Philippine Ports Authority is also implementing a 1 peso roll-on roll-off fee for the
02:03next six months.
02:04The department estimates total savings could reach 105 million pesos in a month.
02:10For new applicants of the program, registration is available online via the DA Food Lane website or the department's regional
02:18offices.
02:18The department continues to monitor whether the benefits should be extended depending on the energy supply situation in the country.
02:26The program aims to ensure there won't be sudden spikes in the price of goods in the markets.
02:31Elijah Canlas from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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