June 8, 2012

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 18-12

WHEREAS, the DA is committed to pursue agricultural modernization as a strategy for accelerating economic development; aTEHCc

WHEREAS, a key feature of a modernized agriculture is an efficient agricultural delivery system by the farming and trading sector;

WHEREAS, to institutionalize the efficient distribution of agri-fishery products from the production sites on to the major demand centers of Metro Manila, a Memorandum of Agreement was made and entered into by and among Department of Agriculture (DA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Northern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group, Southern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group and Chamber of Agriculture and Fisheries and Food Industries of Northern Mindanao in September 2004;

WHEREAS, the Metro Manila Council ratified the MOA through Metro Manila Council Resolution No. 04-14, Series of 2004;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 32, Series of 2004 "Accreditation Guidelines on Foodlane Project", the Foodlane Project exempts delivery trucks of agricultural commodities from the Truck Ban on selected roads in Metro Manila to ensure a twenty-four (24) hour delivery of agricultural commodities;

WHEREAS, to further expand and strengthen the implementation the Foodlane Project nationwide, the Food Lane Project was re-launched and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between and among the Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was entered relative thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PROCESO J. ALCALA, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue this order.

SECTION 1. The Project.

To ensure the speed delivery of all agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities to the markets nationwide, the MMDA (for Metro Manila) and the Local Government Units designated foodlane routes for the use of the agriculture and fishery sectors allowing them to have a 24-hour free access nationwide. STaCcA

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms.

Foodlane routes assigned routes for transport vehicles delivering/carrying/handling agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities which is open 24 hours.

Transport vehicle any motorized vehicle engaged in the business of handling and transporting agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities.

Agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities rice, corn, perishable agriculture and fishery commodities like fresh fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry and by-products, eggs, fresh/frozen meat (poultry, beef, pork), fresh/frozen fish and marine products, processed food products, feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs.

Certificate of Accreditation a document issued by DA (AMAS or DA-RFU) officially authorizing the owner of the transport vehicle named therein to use the assigned foodlane routes. The said certificate may be original or renewal.

Display of Sticker the Foodlane Sticker shall be placed in front of the transport vehicle with plate number indicated in the Certificate of Accreditation.

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage.

To properly register and accredit all suppliers and transport vehicles used to deliver agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities to include rice, corn, perishable agriculture and fishery commodities like fresh fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry and by-products, eggs, fresh/frozen meat (poultry, beef, pork), fresh/frozen fish and marine products, processed food products, feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs.

The Food Lane accreditation is non-transferable and shall always be in the possession of the person/carrier performing business. This accreditation shall not exempt holders from complying with traffic and transport rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. Pre-Qualification Criteria.

1. Applicant must be duly registered and has no pending complaint filed against him/her. ACcaET

2. All livestock, poultry and by-products haulers/traders must have a handler's license and accreditation as pre-requisite for approval of foodlane accreditation.

3. All transport carriers for livestock, poultry and by-products must be registered by Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)/National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) prior to the approval of its foodlane accreditation.

SECTION 5. Filing of Application for Accreditation.

Accreditation shall be filed with the DA-Central Office through Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) or DA Regional Field Units through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) where applicant resides.

SECTION 6. Requirements for Accreditation.

a. Duly accomplished application form

b. Latest 2 pieces "1 x 1" ID picture

c. 2 photos of transport vehicle (front and side view)

d. Business Permit/SEC Registration/CDA Registration

e. Mayor's Permit

f. Board Resolution authorizing representative to transact business in relation to the Food lane project (for coops, corporations, associations), as it may apply

g. Authenticated copy of Official Receipt of Registration (original copy will have to be presented)

h. Authenticated copy of Certificate of Registration (original copy will have to be presented)

i. Authenticated copy of handler's license and accreditation of transport carriers issued by BAI and accreditation of meat transport vehicle issued by NMIS (original copy will have to be presented) ECTSDa

j. Certificate of attendance to the Food Lane Seminar to be issued by DA

k. Food Lane Reference Form

l. Sworn Statement of Commitment

m. Certificate or clearance from LTO

n. Inspection Report of Transport Vehicles conducted by DA-AMAD

SECTION 7. Essential Requirements Before Approval of Accreditation.

7.1 Ocular Inspection

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division will conduct ocular inspection of the transport vehicles to be accredited, during the verification period from the time of application. An inspection report shall be submitted and form part of the documents of the applicant.

7.2 Orientation-Seminar

All applicants or his/her authorized representative must undergo an Orientation-Seminar to be conducted by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) regarding the food lane project and the responsibilities attached to food lane accreditation.

Failure on the part of the applicant or the authorized representative to attend the seminar shall be considered ground for disqualification of application.

SECTION 8. Accreditation Procedures.

Applicants who are situated in Metro Manila area can apply in the DA-Central Office. If the applicants are located in the province, he/she can apply at the DA-RFU. IDSEAH

Accreditation shall be deemed filed upon submission of all documentary requirements. Within fifteen (15) working days from the date the application is deemed filed, the AMAS/AMAD shall verify, inspect and evaluate the farm/s, office/s, warehouse/s, truck/s, and pertinent documents of the applicant. The AMAD shall likewise verify the authenticity of the submitted documents including securing clearance from the Land Transportation Office that the applicant has no pending case, unless due to compelling reason immediate evaluation is needed.

Upon approval of the accreditation, a Certificate of Accreditation will be prepared by AMAS/AMAD to be signed by the Director of AMAS/DA Regional Executive Director. AMAS/AMAD will notify the applicant and release the approved Certificate of Accreditation and the Food Lane Sticker.

Approval or denial of the application shall be processed within a period of twenty-one (21) working days to be reckoned from the date of filing.

SECTION 9. Accreditation for Livestock and Poultry and By-Products.

1. To harmonize the accreditation process of the Department of Agriculture, accredited livestock transport vehicles and meat transport vehicles of the Bureau of Animal Industry and National Meat Inspection Service, respectively, shall be automatically recognized under the Foodlane Project.

2. The valid/current accreditation certificate of both BAI and NMIS shall be submitted by the concerned entity to the AMAS/DA-RFU for issuance of Food Lane sticker and Certificate of Accreditation for the Foodlane Project.

SECTION 10. Validity of Accreditation.

The Certificate of Accreditation is valid for two (2) years commencing from the date of the approval unless otherwise revoked.

SECTION 11. Revocation of Accreditation.

Accreditation shall be revoked for violation of the existing traffic and transport rules and regulations.

SECTION 12. Technical Working Group.

A Technical Working Group composed of representatives from Department of Agriculture particularly the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, BAI Quarantine and Marketing, Department of Interior and Local Government, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shall be created to monitor and spearhead the implementation of the Food Lane Project. CIAcSa

SECTION 13. Monitoring.

The TWG shall conduct periodic monitoring of the project's implementation. A spot checking of accredited transport vehicles used to deliver agriculture and fishery inputs and commodities may also be conducted at the farm or in-transit by the TWG or any authorized agency.

SECTION 14. Effectivity.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved this 11th day of June 2012 in Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALA
Secretary
Department of Agriculture

Published in The Philippine Star on December 19, 2012.