By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Lower highway costs for agricultural truckers could help ease pressure on food distribution as the Department of Agriculture (DA) works to extend its toll rebate initiative to more expressway networks.
Undersecretary Arrey Perez said the agency is still awaiting responses from San Miguel Corp. and other tollway operators, including those associated with the Villar group, regarding their possible participation.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. has resumed its rebate program effective Oct. 1, covering qualified agricultural trucks and cargo vehicles using its network until Nov. 30.
Eligible operators pay the regular toll first, with rebates later credited to their radio frequency identification (RFID) accounts. The arrangement offers estimated rebates of 7 to 8 percent, subject to the program’s applicable terms.
Participating companies include NLEX Corp., Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. and MPCALA Holdings Inc., which informed the Toll Regulatory Board of the program’s reinstatement on Oct. 9.
The DA is meanwhile reviewing and updating its list of qualified truckers and delivery vehicles before submitting the validated registry to the regulatory board.
The initiative seeks to reduce the cost of moving agricultural commodities from production areas to markets as fuel expenses continue to challenge the supply chain.
However, broader relief will depend on whether additional tollway companies join the program and whether eligible truck operators keep their registration details current.
The DA has been coordinating with transport and tollway authorities to secure support for agricultural haulers and help contain logistics costs that can affect food prices.
ia/xf
