In a recent statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the critical role of improved infrastructure in reducing transportation costs for Filipino farmers. Speaking from Manila, Tiu Laurel highlighted how better roads and bridges could streamline the supply chain, making it more efficient and cost-effective to move agricultural products from farms to markets.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to collaborate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to enhance the transport network, particularly in key agricultural regions. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of achieving food security. Tiu Laurel pointed out that upgraded infrastructure would not only reduce the risk of food spoilage but also help stabilize prices in local markets, ultimately benefiting consumers.
He stressed the vital importance of a robust road and bridge system in an archipelago like the Philippines, where logistics play a significant role in agriculture. Currently, the transport infrastructure faces challenges such as excessive truck overloading, which damages roads and bridges, and weak enforcement of regular inspections and load ratings.
Tiu Laurel drew comparisons with neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, where agricultural trucks can carry significantly heavier loads than the 41-ton limit set in the Philippines. He suggested that with better infrastructure, the Philippines could achieve similar reductions in transport costs, enhancing the competitiveness of its agricultural sector.