MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has secured a temporary toll fee exemption for trucks transporting agricultural goods in a bid to reduce logistics costs and help stabilize food prices.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the waiver, coordinated with the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board, will take effect on April 20 and will cover DA-accredited cargo vehicles. The measure will be implemented for one month, subject to review for possible extension.

“We thank our tollway concessionaires for embodying the bayanihan spirit. This will help cushion the impact of higher fuel prices on food supply and affordability, and help protect farmers’ incomes during these challenging times,” Tiu Laurel said.

The initiative comes amid rising fuel prices and broader cost pressures affecting the food supply chain, with transport operators among those most impacted.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA and other agencies to identify measures that will help agricultural stakeholders cope with rising costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and protect domestic food security.

According to the DA, transport costs contribute about P2 to P5 per kilo to retail food prices, highlighting how logistics expenses directly feed into inflation, particularly for basic commodities.

To ease supply disruptions, the agency has also deployed its own trucks in key production areas such as Benguet to ensure uninterrupted delivery of agricultural products to markets and prevent spoilage and price spikes.

Initial estimates show the toll waiver could generate savings of P1,500 to P3,000 per trip for accredited vehicles. With 1,162 trucks under the Food Lane program, total savings could reach between P52 million and P105 million over the one-month period, with higher figures possible if more than 3,100 previously registered trucks renew their accreditation.

The DA said participating vehicles must be included in an approved list submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board for monitoring. Trucks with unpaid toll arrears may still join the program but will be subject to structured payment arrangements with toll operators.

The 1,162 accredited trucks are capable of transporting up to 7 million kilos of food daily, supporting around 3,500 farmers and helping ensure steady supply to major consumption centers.

While the measure provides short-term relief for food distribution, officials acknowledged the need for longer-term logistics reforms to reduce the sector’s exposure to fuel price shocks and external disruptions.