The Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up its Food Lane program to ensure the uninterrupted movement of agricultural goods and help stabilize supply and prices, as the government responds to a declared national energy emergency.
The move follows Executive Order No. 110 issued by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which calls for a whole-of-government response to cushion the impact of global fuel supply disruptions. Central to the DA’s strategy is the Agri-Trucks Toll Free Program, implemented in coordination with the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board, granting full toll fee exemptions to accredited agricultural transport vehicles.
The expanded initiative builds on the existing Food Lane Project, which previously provided toll rebates. By shifting to full exemptions, the DA aims to significantly reduce logistics costs for farmers, traders, and food distributors, while ensuring that essential goods move quickly and efficiently across major expressways.
“Food is a basic and essential need, and it is our responsibility at the Department of Agriculture to ensure stable supply and affordable prices at all times,” said Roger Navarro. “At the same time, we must protect farmers’ incomes, ensure the profitability of those in the agricultural value chain, and safeguard consumer welfare so that no sector is left behind.”
Despite more than 4,000 agri-truckers registered, only 1,162 currently hold valid accreditation, limiting access to program benefits. The DA is pushing to scale participation through streamlined registration, expanded on-site enrollment, and faster approvals.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative is critical to stabilizing food supply chains amid rising fuel risks. “This is about keeping food moving when energy shocks threaten to slow everything down. Every delay in transport translates to higher costs and potential shortages. We cannot allow that,” he said.
Undersecretary for Agri-Industrial Marine Systems Arrey Perez, who oversees the Food Lane program, said the effort forms part of the administration’s broader UPLIFT Tulong sa Agri Sector package.
“The Food Lane program is part of President Marcos’ UPLIFT Tulong sa Agri Sector initiative, which is about standing with our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers during these difficult times,” Perez said. “We know that rising fuel costs and supply disruptions are felt most by those who put food on our tables. The DA is committed to finding practical ways to ease that burden, so that food remains accessible and livelihoods are protected.”
Under revised guidelines, applications can now be approved within the same day, with toll exemption activation completed within 24 hours. The system integrates digital registration, QR-coded accreditation, and RFID enrollment to enable seamless verification across key tollways such as NLEX, SLEX, and Skyway, reducing delays at checkpoints and toll plazas.
Priority rollout areas include major agricultural corridors in Luzon—particularly Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and the Cordillera—where large volumes of food products move daily to urban markets.
The policy underscores how logistics efficiency has become a frontline issue in food security. By cutting transport friction and shielding producers from rising fuel costs, the government aims to cushion consumers from supply disruptions, even as global energy uncertainties persist.
