DA exec Collado checks the situation on the ground to ensure that cargo trucks containing food supplies and production items are gaining easier access in the checkpoints of Malaybalay City, Don Carlos and Lantapan, Bukidnon through the issued foodlane passes.

 

CdeO City, April 8 – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) has issued, as of April 8, some 5,335 foodlane passes to walk-in and online clients across the region since March 19.

 

This in support to the Food Resiliency Protocol of DA for the entire country amid the different established quarantine checkpoints done by local governments brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

“It is put in place to ensure that every Filipino household will have access to safe and affordable food,” said agency head, OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, noting the issuance of department memorandum circulars 6, 7 and 9 as its basis.

 

Taking the lead in handling the issuance of foodlane passes is the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-10, which is augmented by the Regulatory Division, and the operations centers and research stations in the provinces, as well as from its attached bureaus and agencies.

 

“Originally done in the regional office, we have branched out the receipt, processing and issuances in our identified processing centers to fast track its releases, at the same time to avoid overcrowding of applicants, which also forms part of our precautionary measures against COVID-19,” the director added.

 

To speed up processing, the DA exec advised for interested applicants to have their application requirements ready, which includes a photocopy of their Official Receipt of Registration, Certificate of Registration and Business Permit.

 

Also included in the roster of requirements are duly accomplished Foodlane Accreditation, Foodlane Reference and Statement of Commitment forms.

 

Of which, a complete list of said requirements can be found at http://agribusiness.da.gov.ph while online submissions may be forwarded to amad1northmin@gmail.com.

 

For cargoes involving livestock, poultry and by-products, additional requirements listed include a photocopy of their handler’s license and accreditation of transport carriers and accreditation of meat transport vehicle issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry and National Meat Inspection Service, respectively.

 

Entailing success on the unimpeded transit of agri-fishery commodities and production items, Dir. Collado also underscored the strengthened coordination among the national government agencies – DA, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

 

“With the foodlane project being a tie-up program, for our part, we will provide a list of DA-accredited foodlane truckers to the DILG and PNP for information, and be relayed to authorized personnel manning the checkpoints. Through this, we can help speed up inspections, as per guidelines,” the DA-10 official said.

 

The DA exec added that the DILG’s recent directive of dismantling barangay checkpoints in all national highways provincial roads would also reinforce in the easier passage of cargoes and other essentials.

 

“Only those checkpoints manned by the PNP are allowed and are authorized to inspect cargo trucks,” the agency head noted.  # (JLO)