Recto calls for swift accreditation of farmers, traders for fee waivers

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has called on national agencies and local government units to help truckers of farm products to take advantage of lower toll and port fees.

Recto said this was in line with the directives of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to cushion the impact of high oil prices on food products.

“This begins with the speedy accreditation of farmers and traders who are qualified for the toll fee waiver,” Recto said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Unnecessary and unreasonable stopping and inspection of food trucks by police and LGU checkpoints should also stop because it delays travel and wastes fuel,” Recto added. 

The month-long toll-free privilege on major expressways, which was facilitated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agency Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), took effect on April 20. 

Recto said vehicles carrying food and perishable goods as well as oil tankers have been exempted from the morning and evening truck ban in Metro Manila.

Recto said the challenge is to reduce the time these products land in the market, especially since these are perishable goods. 

Recto pointed out that  “toll and port fees holiday” forms part of the “basket of initiatives,'' which the government is implementing to help local farmers. 

“If you notice, even the Department of Agriculture (DA) has started  buying direct from farmers, and these food convoys will be scaled up, if needed,” Recto said.

Citing data from the DA, Recto said a total of 1,162 private trucks are presently accredited under its Food Lane Program. They can move up to seven million kilos of food daily to major markets.

“The DA’s goal is to encourage the 3,100 truckers previously registered to get their easy-to-renew accreditation,” Recto said.

Recto said if 3,000 trucks would benefit from the free road toll under the Food Lane Program, their combined savings will be between P150 million to P165 million a month.

So far, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units also suspended pass-through and delivery fees for cargo vehicles transporting goods across Metro Manila.

For its part, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) already reduced the roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal fees for vehicles transporting agricultural goods to “just one peso,” last April 10. — RSJ, GMA News