DA appeals to LGUs to allow agri products to pass through amid MECQ

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Tuesday appealed to local government units to allow the unhampered passage of food and agricultural products amid the implementation of a stricter lockdown in Metro Manila.

In a televised briefing, Dar said he received initial reports from Benguet that some products have not been allowed to pass through checkpoints.

“Dapat magtulungan po tayo, sama-sama po tayo diyan para walang mabulok na vegetables na galing Benguet at para makarating po dito sa Metro Manila,” he said.

The DA earlier said all vehicles carrying essential food commodities, and agri-fishery products and inputs bearing government-issued stickers must be allowed passage at quarantine checkpoints through the so-called “food lanes.”

Dar also maintained that there is enough supply of food during the two-week implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

Several medical groups earlier urged the government to declare an enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila for two weeks to give the healthcare system and workers a breather and to give way to the recalibration of government strategies against COVID-19. - MDM, GMA News