The government assured the food sector will operate at an optimum level to meet Luzon’s requirements amid the enhanced community quarantine’s extension until May 15.
“100% opening para sa (for) agriculture, fishery, forestry, sa (on) food manufacturing, at lahat po (and all) supply chain including ink, packaging, raw materials, sa (on) food retails, supermarkets, restaurants, for take-out and delivery only,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed.
Sea and airports will open to ensure the transport of essential items and basic food commodities. The food security task force of the IATF will issue rapid pass to cargo trucks and delivery vans to pass checkpoints smoothly.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also been strengthening its e-Kadiwa in response to the “new normal” amid ECQ. The department has been tying up with online logistic companies to deliver food supply from the agency to people’s doorsteps. The food supply outlook of the country shows sufficiency in agricultural products until the end of June and an oversupply that can cover the month of July.
Meanwhile, the latest inventory of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shows the country has a two-week supply of finished goods such as canned goods, noodles, and coffee, and more than a month of their raw materials. The DTI advised the public not to engage in panic buying as the country has enough supplies amid the ECQ. The food security task force also warned it will apprehend business owners who take advantage of the COVID-19 situation.
