DA grants one-month toll waiver for agri trucks to ease food transport costs
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Friday that it has secured a one-month toll fee waiver for agricultural trucks, aiming to protect farmers’ incomes and maintain a steady food supply amid the ongoing energy emergency.
The measure, coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), forms part of broader efforts to reduce logistics costs and stabilize food prices as fuel expenses continue to rise.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the temporary toll exemption will take effect on April 20 and will apply to DA-accredited cargo vehicles.
The initiative is expected to generate savings of around P52 million to P105 million over the one-month period, translating to approximately P1,500 to P3,000 per trip for accredited trucks.
Tiu Laurel expressed appreciation to tollway operators for supporting the program, noting that the relief will help cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on food affordability while safeguarding farmers’ earnings.
Currently, 1,162 trucks are accredited under the DA’s Food Lane program, with the capacity to transport up to seven million kilograms of food daily, benefiting about 3,500 farmers. The number of participating vehicles could increase if more than 3,100 previously registered trucks renew their accreditation.
The toll relief measure will be reviewed after one month to determine whether an extension is warranted.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
