The Department of Agriculture (DA) has obtained a temporary toll fee exemption for trucks transporting agricultural goods, aiming to reduce logistics expenses, stabilize food prices, and safeguard farmers’ incomes amid rising fuel costs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the toll relief—arranged in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)—will take effect on April 20. It will apply to DA-accredited cargo trucks and run for one month, subject to review for a possible extension.
Tiu Laurel expressed appreciation to tollway operators for supporting the initiative, noting that the measure will help offset the impact of rising fuel prices on food supply and affordability while protecting farmers’ earnings.
The move follows directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for government agencies to assist the agriculture sector in coping with increasing costs driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, to ensure national food security.
With fuel prices continuing to rise, transport operators have been among the hardest hit. Some truckers have reduced trips or limited routes to avoid losses, raising concerns about delays in delivering produce from farms to markets. The DA noted that transport costs alone can add around P2 to P5 per kilogram to retail food prices, contributing to inflation, especially for essential goods.
To address these challenges, the DA has also deployed its own fleet of trucks in key production areas such as Benguet, helping farmers deliver produce to markets despite limited transport availability. This effort aims to prevent spoilage, supply disruptions, and sudden price increases.
Initial projections indicate that the toll waiver could generate significant savings. For the 1,162 trucks currently accredited under the Food Lane program, reduced toll expenses of P1,500 to P3,000 per trip could amount to P52 million to P105 million over one month. Savings could increase further if more of the over 3,100 previously registered trucks renew their accreditation.
Eligible vehicles must be registered with DA regional offices, with approved lists submitted to the TRB for monitoring. Truck operators with outstanding toll balances may still participate under structured payment agreements with tollway companies.
These accredited trucks have the capacity to transport up to 7 million kilograms of food daily, supporting around 3,500 farmers and helping maintain a steady flow of goods to major markets.
While the toll relief provides short-term assistance—particularly for perishable products like vegetables—it also highlights the importance of long-term improvements in logistics and supply chain systems to better protect the country’s food sector from future fuel price shocks and external disruptions.
