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The Department of Agriculture is scaling participation in its re-activated Food Lane Project through streamlined registration of agri-truckers, expanded on-site enrollment, and faster approvals
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Despite more than 4,000 agri-truckers registered, only 1,162 currently hold valid accreditation to the project, limiting access to program benefits
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The Agri-Trucks Toll Free Program grants full toll fee exemptions to accredited agricultural transport vehicles
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Under revised guidelines, applications can now be approved within the same day, with toll exemption activation completed within 24 hours
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is scaling participation in its re-activated Food Lane Project through streamlined registration of agri-truckers, expanded on-site enrollment, and faster approvals.
Despite more than 4,000 agri-truckers registered, only 1,162 currently hold valid accreditation to the project, limiting access to program benefits, DA said in a statement.
The re-activation of the Food Lane Project follows Executive Order (EO) No. 110, which calls for a whole-of-government response to cushion the impact of global fuel supply disruptions as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Central to the DA’s strategy is the Agri-Trucks Toll Free Program, implemented in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Toll Regulatory Board, granting full toll fee exemptions to accredited agricultural transport vehicles.
READ: Vehicles carrying food, agri goods get free pass at expressways
DOTr in an earlier statement said major toll concessionaires have agreed to provide toll relief to truckers, industry service providers and farmers from April 20 to ensure unhampered movement of food and other agricultural products. All vehicles transporting food and agricultural products must be accredited by the DA, and equipped with an RFID sticker under the toll RFID system to qualify for the toll exemption.
DA said the exemption builds on the existing Food Lane Project, which previously provided toll rebates. By shifting to full exemptions, DA said it aims to significantly reduce logistics costs for farmers, traders, and food distributors, while ensuring that essential goods move quickly and efficiently across major expressways.
Agriculture secretary Francisco 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.
READ: Prolonged Middle East crisis will drive up agri logistics costs– DA
DA 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,” Perez added.
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 North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and Skyway, reducing delays at checkpoints and toll plazas.
Priority rollout areas include major agricultural corridors in Luzon — particularly the regions of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Cordillera — where large volumes of food products move daily to urban markets.
DA said 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.
