Metro Manila, Philippines – A House lawmaker has filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow agricultural and food delivery vehicles to use the Edsa Busway during nighttime.
AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee’s House Resolution 2162 – a copy of which was sent to reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 14 – pushes the DOTr to allow agricultural and food delivery services along Edsa’s innermost lanes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Lee pointed out that the “fast and efficient” transfer of agricultural and food products has a “crucial role” in ensuring food supply chain stability, addressing food security concerns, and maintaining local farmers’ and industry stakeholders’ livelihoods.
“The transport of these goods faces several challenges, particularly in Metro Manila, where traffic congestion hampers the timely arrival of perishable goods, leading to food wastage and increased costs for both suppliers and consumers,” the resolution read.
The lawmaker said the DOTr must hold consultations with agricultural and food industry stakeholders to maximize the logistics.
Lee added the arrangements can be developed into a formal policy.
‘Sudden, drastic’ tomato price hike
Lee filed a separate resolution, encouraging the appropriate House panel to look into the “sudden and drastic” increase in the retail price of tomatoes, reaching P360 per kilogram.
“The high prices of tomatoes may be attributed to various factors, including adverse weather conditions, production challenges, and logistics problem, but there is growing concern that price manipulators, hoarders, and smugglers may be playing a role in artificially inflating prices,” Lee’s House Resolution 2158 stated.
“There is a need to take decisive action and measures from the Government to protect our consumers as well as the livelihood of Filipino farmers through stricter and serious enforcement of laws which the inquiry must ascertain and realize,” it said.
The House quinta-committee has been holding hearings on the implementation of government programs to address smuggling and price manipulation of basic goods and commodities.
