Implementing Guidelines for the Delivery of Food and Other Agricultural Commodities to, from, and Passing through the NCR during the 30-Day Community Quarantine

March 16, 2020

DA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 06-20

 

In view of the implementation of Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning March 15, 2020, the Department of Agriculture ensures that there is enough supply of basic and prime commodities.

Further, facilitating the unhampered trade and delivery of agro-fishery produce (fruits, vegetables, rice, fish, poultry and livestock and its related products) and agri-fishery inputs (fertilizers, feed, feed ingredients and etc.) to, from, and passing through NCR, the following guidelines are hereby issued for the information and guidance of all concerned:

1. Basic Principle. The objective is to ensure unhampered movement of food and other agricultural commodities to, from, and passing through NCR.

2. "Foodlane" Accreditation. The DA shall simplify existing procedures in the accreditation of trucks/suppliers delivering to, from, and passing through NCR, as follows:

a) Eligible applicants are those that are duly registered (DTI, CDA, DOLE, or SEC) and with valid business permits and have the necessary permits from DA concerned agencies (PFDA, BAI, NFA, SRA, NMIS, BFAR and etc.).

b) Requirements to be presented are: (i) Official Receipt of Registration (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) and (ii) filled up foodlane reference form and sworn statement of commitment.

Applicants can apply either in person or through downloadable forms that are available at www.agribusiness.gov.ph. Accomplished forms will be forwarded to AMAS, RFOS, PFDA, BAI, NFA, SRA, NMIS, BFAR and other regional offices/concerned agencies. The heads of these agencies shall be the authorized signatories for the issuance of "Foodlane Accreditation" and/or "Foodlane stickers."

Existing accredited foodlane truckers shall be honoured and those with expiring accreditation shall be extended until the lifting of the Community Quarantine period.

In the case of NFA, there will be free delivery of rice daily to the three (3) or five (5) existing authorized distributors in all major markets in NCR.

The list of DA accredited "Foodlane" truckers/suppliers will be provided to DILG/PNP and MMDA for their proper dissemination to personnel manning the checkpoints to expedite inspections.

3. Food Delivery Mechanics

a) The accredited foodlane supplier's distribution system shall continue their normal business operations. The suppliers shall ensure that the drivers and helpers passed the body temperature protocol. Accredited suppliers shall be exempted from restrictions imposed by the Local Government Unit from the point of origin to destination area and vice verse.

b) Accredited suppliers/truckers participating in DA "Food Supply Project" shall deliver their goods to designated Kadiwa and/or DA designated drop-off points within NCR.

c) The DA shall coordinate with LGUs, other concerned agencies/Non-Government Organization as to the delivery of goods under the "Food Supply Project." The mechanics shall be drawn up between DA and the partner agency/organization. This includes expanding KADIWA drop-offs whenever deemed necessary.

(d) For poultry and livestock and its related products including feed and feed ingredients, the following documents shall be required:

1. LSP is required for the transport of Live Animals, Animal Products and Animal By-Products from NCR to destination regions. The specific requirements are provided in DA Administrative Order No. 5, s. 2019 (Guidelines on the Local Transport/Shipment of Animals, Animal Products and By-Products);

2. Shipper will submit print-out/hardcopy of issued LSP and supporting documents for validation at checkpoints;

3. LSP is not required for the domestic transport of feeds and feed ingredients;

4. LSP is required for the transport of live pigs intended for slaughter at NCR slaughterhouses;

5. The following documents shall be required for the movement of live animals, animal products, animal by-products and feed ingredients:

5.1 Live poultry and livestock. Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian with concurrence of the government veterinarian valid for 3 days from the date of its issuance;

5.2 Fresh/frozen meat. NMIS Certification of Meat Inspection (COMI) for imported meat or Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) for locally sourced meat and;

5.3 Uncooked processed meat products. FDA License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).

6. For the issuance of the LSP for swine, pork and its related products, the DA Administrative Circular 12 of 2019 (National Zoning and Movement Plan for the Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever) shall be followed.

e) The DA shall coordinate with concerned agencies to provide a special lane for DA accredited foodlane truckers.

4. Funding

Necessary funding for this activity shall be charged to the respective agency funds of DA.

5. Effectivity

These guidelines shall take effect immediately upon signing and shall supersede other issuances inconsistent herewith.

Approved:

(SGD.) DR. WILLIAM D. DARSecretary