DA NorMin issues over 7k food passes, validity extended to April 30   

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Apr. 30 (PIA)–A month-long since the COVID-19-triggered quarantine, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 continues to receive applications for the issuance of foodlane passes, listing releases of 7,678 as of April 20.
 

This would aid food and production item suppliers, delivery truckers, and other registered logistics/distribution entities to use express lanes in imposed quarantine checkpoints, speeding up the delivery of cargoes from production sites to market outlets.

“We consider them as our food security frontliners,” Carlene C. Collado, officer-in-charge, regional executive director of DA-10 said.

His remark refers to the recent recognition of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) as the government’s partner in fighting the current pandemic.

“For this, they should be accorded with the much needed assistance during this health crisis to ensure continued production and supply of food to every Filipino household,” the DA exec added.

In a related development, DA has extended the validity of previously-issued foodlane passes as per Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2020.

“In light of the extended community quarantine in Luzon, as declared by our President, which are also done in the different localities across the country, foodlane passes issued on March 18 and days thereafter remain valid until April 30,” the director detailed.

On the other hand, the DA official lauded those who have already secured, including those eyeing to get their foodlane permits for their key role in the continuous flow of the food supply chain.

“We can never thank you enough! While most are staying in their homes, adopting among other measures to curb the spread of the disease, you are at the forefront to provide us with food that would nourish our bodies, especially during this public health emergency,” Collado concluded. (DA10)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1040465