In support of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) declaration of a national food emergency on rice, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, on Wednesday, directed all regional directors and heads of law enforcement units to assist with the transport of rice cargo trucks nationwide.

Mendoza explained that the LTO’s involvement aims to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted delivery of rice supplies as part of the national government’s intervention, especially in cities and municipalities facing rice shortages or experiencing a significant increase in rice prices.

“Under the guidance of our DoTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, we will allocate some of our personnel to escort cargo trucks delivering rice from the point of origin to their destination,” Mendoza stated.

“We will coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and other relevant government agencies on this matter, and we expect our LTO Regional Directors to follow suit in their respective areas of responsibility,” he added.

In a memorandum signed by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the national food emergency on rice was declared to enable the national government to address rice shortages and unusual price increases more effectively.

The declaration of the national food emergency was recommended by the National Price Coordinating Council, of which the Department of Transportation (DoTr) is a member. The LTO falls under the DoTr.

Given that rice is a staple food for millions of Filipinos, Mendoza stressed the importance of collaboration and coordination among concerned government agencies, including the LTO.

“We are ready to deploy manpower and resources to help achieve the objectives of this declaration because the primary concern is the welfare of millions of our kababayan,” Mendoza said.

“We will continue to monitor and receive updates on this issue to better plan and implement the necessary assistance that we in the LTO can provide,” he added.