DA stresses need for unhampered movement of food, agri goods amid Luzon quarantine

Vehicles delivering food and other agricultural goods should be given unhampered and unrestricted transit even with the enhanced community quarantine placed over the entire Luzon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reiterated Wednesday.

According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, all activities related to agriculture and food production should remain unimpeded.

From 12 midnight on Tuesday, March 17, Luzon was placed over enhanced community quarantine, restricting travel within the region in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"Lahat ng aktibidades or mga inputs in relation to agricultural production, agriculture and food production, kasama na ang processing and marketing, including that of the delivery or movement of these cargoes or products ay talaga dapat unrestricted," he said in a press briefing aired on PTV4.

Dar's remarks came a day after he said the Department of Agriculture (DA) was fine-tuning protocols to ensure the unhampered movement of food and agricultural products.

A green lane has since been designated at various checkpoints, where only vehicles carrying food and agricultural goods will be allowed to pass.

"Sana itong mga checkpoints ngayon ay mag-adjust na. May usapan na rin kagabi at ang decision ng IATF ay ang tawag nila ay random checking sa mga checkpoints at sana mas mabilis na 'yung mga movement of cargoes," said Dar.

For his part, Uniter Broilers Raisers' Association (UBRA) president Jose Elias "Bong" Inciong said conditions have started to improve at checkpoints.

"Nagsisimula na po para doon sa mga buhay na manok at tsaka 'yung sa dressed chicken, nagsisimula nang lumuwag," he said in an interview aired on GMA Super Radyo dzBB.

Inciong said that earlier, trucks were allowed to enter Metro Manila to deliver goods, but were not allowed to exit.

"Halimbawa, 'yung mais na galing Isabela para sa feeds, para sa patuka, natatakot 'yung leader baka ma-lockdown sila tulad ng sa Rizal, kasi may karanasan na pinayagan mag-deliver, pero nung palabas ay ayaw na palabasin, ayaw na pauwiin," he said.

In response, Dar said those manning the checkpoints have been mandated to allow the unimpeded movement of goods.

"The PNP is instructed to allow the unimpeded movement of cargoes, subject to its authority to conduct random checking in checkpoints for the purpose of ensuring that protocols in the strict home quarantine are observed," he explained. — RSJ, GMA News