FOOD PASS. Jhel Ann Oboc, a staff of Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (right), entertains a client applying for a food lane accreditation on Wednesday (March 18, 2020) at the DA-11 office in Davao City. The food lane accreditation has served some 1,250 clients from various parts of Region 11. (Photo courtesy of Agri Info Davao)
DAVAO CITY – The food lane accreditation of the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has already served some 1,250 clients from various parts of Region 11, an official said Friday.
Noel Provido, DA-11 information chief, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the agency's food lane accreditation aims to ensure unhampered delivery of food and other agricultural commodities amid the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in the region due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Provido said the "Food Lane Conduct Pass" is open to food suppliers, farmer cooperatives, farmers association, truckers or logistics and other distribution entities.
The food pass would be especially helpful for agricultural products that are highly perishable, Provido said, noting that a long queue on the checkpoints may affect the quality of vegetables and fruits.
“We will see to it that when the product reached the market they are of good quality and has the same nutritive value which is needed by the consumer to boost their immune system to fight the dreaded disease,” Provido said.
He pointed out the case of Marlo Yap, the owner of Bemwa Farm in Datu Salumay, Marilog District, whose products must reach the market right away.
“He immediately applied for food lane pass since his products are in demand to the market,” he said.
DA's food lane accreditation will continue as long as the public health emergency has not been lifted. Applicants must not have an existing complaint against their consumers and must be duly registered, Provido said.
“They still have to comply with the needed requirements imposed by DA for the African swine fever (ASF) protocols such as veterinary certificate and others,” he added.
He said applicants may submit their requirements to their local agriculture offices or directly to the DA-11 headquarters here. (PNA)
