[ DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 32, December 13, 2004 ]
ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES FOR THE FOOD LANE PROJECT
WHEREAS, the DA is committed to pursue agricultural modernization as a strategy for accelerating economic development;
WHEREAS, a key feature of a modernized agriculture is an efficient agricultural delivery system by the farming and trading sector;
WHEREAS, DA seeks to institutionalize the efficient distribution of agri-fishery products from the production sites on to the major demand centers of Metro Manila;
WHEREAS, in order to ensure speedy travel of vehicles carrying agri-commodities nationwide, the Food Lane Project was launched and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) relative thereto was entered into by and among the Department of Agriculture, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Northern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group, Southern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group and the Chamber of Agriculture and Food Industries of Northern Mindanao in September 2004;
WHEREAS, the aforesaid MOA Implementing the Food Lane Project exempts delivery trucks of agricultural commodities from the Truck Ban on selected roads in Metro Manila to ensure a twenty-four (24) delivery of agricultural commodities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue this order.
SECTION 1. The Project - To ensure speed delivery of perishable agri-fishery commodities to Metro Manila markets, the MMDA designated Food Lane routes for use of the agriculture and fishery sectors allowing them to have a 24-hour truck ban free access from North and South Luzon via the North and South Luzon Expressways.
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms -
Food lane routes - MMDA assigned routes for trucks transporting perishable agri-fishery commodities which is open 24 hours (see Annex A* ).
Trucks - transport vehicle with gross weight capacity of 4,500 kilograms and above.
Perishable agri-fishery commodities - include fresh/chilled vegetables, fresh/frozen meat (poultry, beef, pork), fresh/frozen fish, fresh/frozen marine products, fresh fruits and eggs.
Certificate of accreditation - a document issued by DA and MMDA officially authorizing the owner of the truck named therein to use the assigned food lane routes specifically indicated in the back of the document. The said certificate may be original or renewal.
Display of the Sticker - the Food Lane sticker shall be placed in front of the truck with plate number indicated in the Certificate of Accreditation.
Sectoral Group representatives - as identified in the Memorandum of Agreement are the following: Mayor Nestor Fongwan of Benguet, Mr. Lyndon Tan and Engr. Edwin Andot representing North Luzon and South Luzon Agri-Fishery Group and Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries for Northern Mindanao (CAFFINORMIN), respectively.
SECTION 3. Pre-Qualification Criteria - The applicant must be duly registered and has no pending complaint filed against him/her.
SECTION 4. Application for Accreditation - Accreditation of all trucks delivering perishable agri-fishery commodities shall be handled by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and the DA Regional Field Units through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division.
SECTION 5. Requirements on Application - Along with the completed application form, each entity applying for accreditation shall submit a copy of the following documents:
SECTION 6. Essential Requirements Before Approval of Accreditation -
6.1 Ocular Inspection - The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division through the duly authorized Inspection Team will conduct ocular inspection of the truck 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.
6.2 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 should be considered a ground to disqualify the application of non-issuance of accreditation.
SECTION 7. Accreditation Procedures - The application for accreditation shall be deemed filed upon submission of all documentary requirements and payment of the application fee. Within ten (10) working days from the date of application is deemed filed, the 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 and endorse the same to AMAS. AMAD will also submit the list of applicants to the Sectoral Group representatives.
AMAD reserves the right to accept or reject any application, as the case may be, and refer the same to the Chairman of the Food Lane project for comments.
AMAS upon receipt of the documents will endorse the application and the supporting documents together with the Certificate of Accreditation to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for approval and signature of the MMDA Chairman.
MMDA will return to AMAS approved and signed Certificate of Accreditation for signature of the DA Secretary. Upon signing, AMAS will release to AMAD the laminated Certificate of Accreditation and the Food Lane Sticker.
AMAD will notify the applicant and release the approved Certificate of Accreditation and the Food Lane Sticker upon receipt of payment for accreditation fee amounting to NINE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS ONLY (P950.00). AMAD will issue an Official Receipt.
The application shall be processed (including approval or denial) within a period of twenty-one (21) working days reckoned from the date it is deemed filed.
SECTION 8. Payment of Fees for Accreditation - The applicant shall pay to the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division the following fees:
SECTION 10. Validity of Accreditation - The Certificate of Accreditation is valid for one year commencing from the date of the approval unless otherwise revoked.
SECTION 11. Revocation of Accreditation - Accreditation may be revoked for violation of the provisions stated in this Administrative Order.
SECTION 12. Monitoring - For purposes of monitoring, the AMADs will inspect accredited trucks anytime when needed.
SECTION 13. Technical Working Group - A Technical Working Group composed of representatives from Department of Agriculture particularly the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the representatives of the Agri-Commodity Sector will be created to monitor and spearhead the implementation of the Food Lane Project.
SECTION 14. Register Monthly List - The Food Lane Technical Working Group shall establish, maintain, and operate a Register of Accredited Firms. The TWG shall issue monthly an updated list containing the following data: a) name of firm/truck owner;
b) expiry date of their respective Certificate of Accreditation; c) other pertinent data as maybe required. The TWG shall furnish with copies of the said list the MMDA, AMADs and other entities needing copies thereof.
SECTION 15. Effectivity - This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Adopted: 13 Dec. 2004
(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary
Department of Agriculture
Recommended by:
(SGD.) SALVADO S. SALACUP
Director
Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service
* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City.
WHEREAS, a key feature of a modernized agriculture is an efficient agricultural delivery system by the farming and trading sector;
WHEREAS, DA seeks to institutionalize the efficient distribution of agri-fishery products from the production sites on to the major demand centers of Metro Manila;
WHEREAS, in order to ensure speedy travel of vehicles carrying agri-commodities nationwide, the Food Lane Project was launched and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) relative thereto was entered into by and among the Department of Agriculture, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Northern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group, Southern Luzon Agri-Fishery Group and the Chamber of Agriculture and Food Industries of Northern Mindanao in September 2004;
WHEREAS, the aforesaid MOA Implementing the Food Lane Project exempts delivery trucks of agricultural commodities from the Truck Ban on selected roads in Metro Manila to ensure a twenty-four (24) delivery of agricultural commodities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue this order.
SECTION 1. The Project - To ensure speed delivery of perishable agri-fishery commodities to Metro Manila markets, the MMDA designated Food Lane routes for use of the agriculture and fishery sectors allowing them to have a 24-hour truck ban free access from North and South Luzon via the North and South Luzon Expressways.
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms -
Food lane routes - MMDA assigned routes for trucks transporting perishable agri-fishery commodities which is open 24 hours (see Annex A* ).
Trucks - transport vehicle with gross weight capacity of 4,500 kilograms and above.
Perishable agri-fishery commodities - include fresh/chilled vegetables, fresh/frozen meat (poultry, beef, pork), fresh/frozen fish, fresh/frozen marine products, fresh fruits and eggs.
Certificate of accreditation - a document issued by DA and MMDA officially authorizing the owner of the truck named therein to use the assigned food lane routes specifically indicated in the back of the document. The said certificate may be original or renewal.
Display of the Sticker - the Food Lane sticker shall be placed in front of the truck with plate number indicated in the Certificate of Accreditation.
Sectoral Group representatives - as identified in the Memorandum of Agreement are the following: Mayor Nestor Fongwan of Benguet, Mr. Lyndon Tan and Engr. Edwin Andot representing North Luzon and South Luzon Agri-Fishery Group and Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries for Northern Mindanao (CAFFINORMIN), respectively.
SECTION 3. Pre-Qualification Criteria - The applicant must be duly registered and has no pending complaint filed against him/her.
SECTION 4. Application for Accreditation - Accreditation of all trucks delivering perishable agri-fishery commodities shall be handled by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and the DA Regional Field Units through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division.
SECTION 5. Requirements on Application - Along with the completed application form, each entity applying for accreditation shall submit a copy of the following documents:
a. Duly accomplished application form
b. Latest 2 pieces "1 x 1" ID picture
c. 2 photos of truck (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. Sworn Statement of Commitment
h. Authenticated copy of Official Receipt of Registration (original copy will have to be presented)
i. Authenticated copy of Certificate of Registration (original copy will have to be presented)
j. Certificate of attendance to the Food Lane Seminar to be issued by DA
k. Food Lane Reference Form
SECTION 6. Essential Requirements Before Approval of Accreditation -
6.1 Ocular Inspection - The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division through the duly authorized Inspection Team will conduct ocular inspection of the truck 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.
6.2 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 should be considered a ground to disqualify the application of non-issuance of accreditation.
SECTION 7. Accreditation Procedures - The application for accreditation shall be deemed filed upon submission of all documentary requirements and payment of the application fee. Within ten (10) working days from the date of application is deemed filed, the 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 and endorse the same to AMAS. AMAD will also submit the list of applicants to the Sectoral Group representatives.
AMAD reserves the right to accept or reject any application, as the case may be, and refer the same to the Chairman of the Food Lane project for comments.
AMAS upon receipt of the documents will endorse the application and the supporting documents together with the Certificate of Accreditation to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for approval and signature of the MMDA Chairman.
MMDA will return to AMAS approved and signed Certificate of Accreditation for signature of the DA Secretary. Upon signing, AMAS will release to AMAD the laminated Certificate of Accreditation and the Food Lane Sticker.
AMAD will notify the applicant and release the approved Certificate of Accreditation and the Food Lane Sticker upon receipt of payment for accreditation fee amounting to NINE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS ONLY (P950.00). AMAD will issue an Official Receipt.
The application shall be processed (including approval or denial) within a period of twenty-one (21) working days reckoned from the date it is deemed filed.
SECTION 8. Payment of Fees for Accreditation - The applicant shall pay to the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division the following fees:
SECTION 9. Issuance of Accreditation Certificate and Food Lane Sticker - Upon submission of documents and compliance with the necessary requirements, certificate of accreditation and food lane sticker shall be issued by the DIRECTOR of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service.a. Application fee
P 50.00 b. Accreditation P950.00 P1,000.00
SECTION 10. Validity of Accreditation - The Certificate of Accreditation is valid for one year commencing from the date of the approval unless otherwise revoked.
SECTION 11. Revocation of Accreditation - Accreditation may be revoked for violation of the provisions stated in this Administrative Order.
SECTION 12. Monitoring - For purposes of monitoring, the AMADs will inspect accredited trucks anytime when needed.
SECTION 13. Technical Working Group - A Technical Working Group composed of representatives from Department of Agriculture particularly the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the representatives of the Agri-Commodity Sector will be created to monitor and spearhead the implementation of the Food Lane Project.
SECTION 14. Register Monthly List - The Food Lane Technical Working Group shall establish, maintain, and operate a Register of Accredited Firms. The TWG shall issue monthly an updated list containing the following data: a) name of firm/truck owner;
b) expiry date of their respective Certificate of Accreditation; c) other pertinent data as maybe required. The TWG shall furnish with copies of the said list the MMDA, AMADs and other entities needing copies thereof.
SECTION 15. Effectivity - This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Adopted: 13 Dec. 2004
Secretary
Department of Agriculture
Recommended by:
(SGD.) SALVADO S. SALACUP
Director
Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service
* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City.