The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, on Wednesday ordered all regional directors and heads of law enforcement units to provide assistance to cargo trucks delivering rice supplies across the country following the declaration of a national food emergency on rice.

Mendoza explained that the LTO's assistance is aimed at ensuring the unhampered and smooth national government intervention through the delivery of rice supplies to various areas in the country, particularly in cities and municipalities that would be identified as having a shortage or extraordinary increase in rice prices.

“Under the guidance of our DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, we will make available some of our personnel to escorts cargo trucks that would be tapped to deliver rice from the point of origin to point of destination,” Mendoza said.

“We will be coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies regarding this matter and we expect our LTO Regional Directors to do the same in their respective areas of responsibility,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., on Monday, declared a national food emergency on rice in order for the national government to effectively address the rice shortage and unusual price increases.

In the same order, the declaration of a national food emergency on rice was recommended by the National Price Coordinating Council, of which the DOTr is a member. The LTO is under the DOTr.

With rice as the primary staple food for millions of Filipinos, Mendoza emphasized the need for cooperation and coordination among all concerned government agencies, including the LTO.