QUEZON CITY  --  “There is enough food for everyone.” This is the assurance of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to consumers in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other major consumption areas nationwide, with President Duterte’s recent declaration of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) subject to heightened restrictions, from July 30, 2021 to August 5, 2021, and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in NCR and MECQ in other areas, from August 6 to August 20, 2021, due to the more transmissible “Delta variant” of Covid-19.

The agri chief recently issued a set of guidelines, directing the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs) to facilitate the transport and delivery of food and agri-fishery commodities to markets in NCR and other areas.

“We will see to it that food supply lines are kept open, and ensure continuous delivery of major food items and temper prices,” Secretary Dar added.

He said, the DA through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) will continue to operate “Kadiwa” stalls, in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, in strategic areas in the NCR and nearby provinces. The DA will also encourage the setting up of private sector-led community pantries.

Below are the guidelines aimed at facilitating the transport and delivery of agri-fishery commodities:

1.      “Food Passes” or IATF IDs previously issued by the DA are valid and can still be used by those transporting food and agri-fishery commodities. For those without said food pass or IATF ID, the DA RFOs will issue new ones.

2.      As per guidelines issued by the DILG, those entering Metro Manila from other regions should always bring said Food Pass or IATF ID, or any ID issued by the DA or government agency.

3.      The DA Regional Executive Directors are instructed to coordinate with their Provincial and Municipal LGUs, encouraging them to buy food from KADIWA, as well as from farmers’ and fisherfolk’s cooperatives and associations (FCAs).

4.      The DA-RFO Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Divisions (AMADs) in Luzon should regularly coordinate with the DA-AMAS to hasten the delivery of food and agri-fishery commodities in Metro Manila markets and Kadiwa stalls.

5.      The DA-RFOs should likewise coordinate with their respective DOH and DILG counterparts for developments regarding health and medical protocols.

“Once again, we assure everyone that our regional field offices and other concerned DA bureaus and agencies are ready to assist those who will encounter problems in the transport and delivery of food and agri-fishery commodities. We will closely coordinate with the DILG and PNP to ensure the smooth flow of farm and fishery products to markets and finally to our respective dining tables,” the DA chief concluded. (DA-StratComms)