Agency to Escort Cargo Trucks, Ensure Unhampered Delivery Amid Supply Crisis
In response to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) declaration of a national food emergency on rice, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, has directed all regional directors and law enforcement unit heads to assist in the smooth delivery of rice supplies across the country.
Mendoza emphasized that the LTO’s role is to ensure unhampered and efficient transportation of rice, particularly to cities and municipalities identified as facing shortages or experiencing extraordinary price surges.
“Under the guidance of our DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, we will deploy personnel to escort cargo trucks delivering rice from their point of origin to their final destinations,” Mendoza stated.
The LTO will coordinate closely with the DA and other relevant government agencies to facilitate the national government’s intervention efforts.
Mendoza also instructed LTO Regional Directors to maintain active collaboration within their respective areas of responsibility.
National Food Emergency Declared
The DA’s declaration of a national food emergency, signed by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., aims to address the current rice shortage and abnormal price increases affecting the country. This declaration was based on recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), of which the Department of Transportation (DOTr)—the LTO’s parent agency—is a member.
With rice being the primary staple for millions of Filipinos, Mendoza highlighted the critical need for inter-agency cooperation to mitigate the crisis effectively.
LTO’s Commitment to National Welfare
“We are ready to deploy manpower and resources to support the objectives of this declaration because the welfare of millions of our kababayan is our top priority,” Mendoza affirmed.
The LTO will conduct continuous monitoring and provide updates to adjust and enhance its support as needed. “We will plan and implement necessary assistance to ensure that rice supplies reach affected areas without delay,” Mendoza added.
This move underscores the government’s whole-of-nation approach to safeguarding food security amid the ongoing rice supply challenges.