MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening its Food Lane program to maintain the steady flow of agricultural products and help stabilize supply and prices following the declaration of a national energy emergency.

The initiative comes after the issuance of Executive Order No. 110 by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which calls for a coordinated government response to mitigate the effects of global fuel supply disruptions.

A key component of the plan is the Agri-Trucks Toll Free Program, implemented with the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board, granting full toll exemptions to accredited vehicles transporting agricultural goods.

The expanded program builds on the earlier Food Lane Project, which offered toll rebates. With the shift to full exemptions, the DA aims to cut logistics costs for farmers, traders, and distributors, while ensuring faster movement of essential goods along major expressways.

“Food is a basic and essential need, and it is our responsibility at the Department of Agriculture to ensure stable supply and affordable prices at all times,” said Roger Navarro. “At the same time, we must protect farmers’ incomes, ensure the profitability of those in the agricultural value chain, and safeguard consumer welfare so that no sector is left behind.”

Despite having more than 4,000 registered agri-truckers, only 1,162 currently have valid accreditation, limiting access to program benefits. The DA is working to increase participation through simplified registration, expanded on-site enrollment, and faster processing.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the measure is vital to keeping supply chains stable amid fuel-related risks.

“This is about keeping food moving when energy shocks threaten to slow everything down. Every delay in transport translates to higher costs and potential shortages. We cannot allow that,” he said.

Arrey Perez, Undersecretary for Agri-Industrial Marine Systems and overseer of the Food Lane program, said the initiative is part of the administration’s broader UPLIFT Tulong sa Agri Sector package.

“The Food Lane program is part of President Marcos’ UPLIFT Tulong sa Agri Sector initiative, which is about standing with our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers during these difficult times,” Perez said. “We know that rising fuel costs and supply disruptions are felt most by those who put food on our tables. The DA is committed to finding practical ways to ease that burden, so that food remains accessible and livelihoods are protected.”

Under updated guidelines, applications may now be approved within the same day, with toll exemption activation completed within 24 hours. The system includes digital registration, QR-coded accreditation, and RFID enrollment to allow seamless verification across major tollways such as North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and Metro Manila Skyway.

Initial rollout will focus on key agricultural corridors in Luzon, including Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Cordillera Administrative Region, where large volumes of food are transported daily to urban markets.

The policy highlights the growing importance of logistics in ensuring food security, with the government aiming to reduce transport costs and shield both producers and consumers from the effects of global energy uncertainties.