Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar reiterated that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) only allows three passengers on board food vehicles carrying fresh produce or farm inputs and implements essential for food production and processing.

“Food vehicles, haulers, delivery vans or trucks must only be occupied by a driver and two helpers, in compliance with the precautionary and safety measures imposed by the government in line with the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine,” said Secretary Dar.

“We want an unhampered movement of agricultural products to ensure food supply to residents in the metro cities, but we also want to ensure that Filipinos remain healthy,” he added.

Limiting the number of people involved in the movement and delivery of farm produce is a part of the strategy of the government to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.

“Therefore the IATF decided to limit the number of passengers allowed to join the delivery and reduce the possibility of contacting Covid-19. Kaya, hindi pwede na marami,” he said.

Following the announcement of the Luzon-wide ECQ, the DA issued guidelines on the granting of ‘Food Pass’ that allows food delivery vehicles, including trucks, vans, pick-ups, jeepneys, AUVs/MPV to pass through quarantine checkpoints.

“The Food Pass serves as a stamp which allows the smooth mobility of farm produce and other agri-fishery products, including farm inputs and implements, thereby benefitting farmers and consumers alike,” the DA chief said.

He added that with the Food Passes, consumers will have a steady supply of goods to buy in the markets, and farmers will continue to earn from their hard labor. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)