The Department of Agriculture (DA) reiterated its call to shipping companies to strictly adhere to regulations that prioritize the transport of agricultural produce to reduce waste, improve farmers’ income, and ensure food security.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the DA intends to meet with Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) officials to determine if shipping companies are compliant with such regulations.
“We will monitor this to ensure that they are strictly implemented. We will again meet with PPA GM Jay (Santiago) on how to effectively implement these,” he added.
Complaints by highland vegetable farmers and traders have reached the DA during a town hall meeting with Secretary Tiu Laurel at Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) last week.
Benguet vegetable stakeholders said many of the highland vegetables destined for the local markets, especially Manila-bound and those that are loaded in ships for delivery to other provinces were not getting the proper testament as perishable products should be.
Tiu Laurel met Santiago last week to forge a partnership in support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s initiatives to increase food production and modernize agriculture.
The Agriculture secretary traveled to Baguio City last Friday to meet with vegetable farmers and other stakeholders in the Cordillera region.
According to the PPA, there is an existing law requiring shipping companies to reserve at least 25 percent of their cargo space to transport agricultural food products.
Tiu Laurel emphasized that agricultural freight rates should also be at a discounted rate to keep food prices affordable.
