DESPITE the existing mandate to ensure unimpeded transport of cargo bringing agricultural commodities, a coconut supplier reportedly struggled to deliver its products within the region.
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) coconut production and regulation officer Arnel Cabillan said the cargo of the Millennium Specialty Coconut Products Inc. (MSCPI), a coconut producer in Panabo, Davao del Norte was reportedly held at the checkpoint.
"Kausap ko yung manager ng MSCPI, yung dessicated coconut natin dyan sa Panabo, ayaw palabasin yung mga nagdeliver sa kanila. Hindi na pinapalabas yung truck (I talked to the manager of the MSCPI and he said their cargo truck delivering to Davao City was not allowed to enter)," he said, adding it was released later on.
Cabillan said although the Interagency Task Force (IATF) issued orders to ensure the smooth entry and exit of agricultural cargoes, some local government units (LGUs) enacted their own policies for the cargoes.
"Yung ibang LGU di sila gagawa ng sarili nilang policy although we always try to understand na yung iba nag-iingat pero dapat kasi centralize. Magulo kasi pag kanya-kanya. Gagawa ka ng sarili mong batas tapos meron tayong national na sinusunod, magulo yan (Some LGUs craft their own policies but it will be chaotic since there is a national order that we should follow)," he said.
He suggested that if possible, barangay captains issue a memorandum or authorization letters to the suppliers in their areas as a supporting document to the guidelines set by the IATF.
"Di natin kasi maiwasan mag kakaiba ng sitwasyon sa bawat lugar. Yung ibang LGUs kasi siguro, nag iingat din sila, masyado silang mahigpit, yung iba maluwag naman. Dapat mag issue ang barangay captain yan kasi ayaw palabasin ng Task Force Davao sa checkpoint (We understand that we have different situations. So the barangay captains should issue authorization letters so the suppliers can easily enter the checkpoints)," he said.
Cabillan said he also advised the manager of MSCPI to mention the provisions of the IATF guidelines on the unimpeded transport of agricultural supplies to the security personnel.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Davao Region information officer Noel Provido said they have not yet received any complaints regarding the transport of agricultural supplies in the region.
Earlier, DA-Davao Region has been accrediting cargo trucks and agricultural suppliers for the food lane since March for smooth delivery of agricultural products and supplies across the provinces.
Provido said aside from the regional office, agricultural suppliers can also secure food lane passes in their respective provincial or municipal agriculture and veterinary offices.
He said about 9,109 food lane passes were already released as of April 14.
The agency has also extended its validity until the lifting of the quarantine measures in the region.