TO ensure sufficient supply of pork in the country, the government will put up special lanes to transport the product.
In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the new policy is contained in the newly approved resolution No. 97 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
As recommended by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the government will designate nautical highway from Luzon and Mindanao, and the Maharlika Highway in Luzon as “Special Hog Lanes.”
Unhampered delivery
Roque said the new policy will guarantee the “unhampered passage of hog shipment from Visayas and Mindanao, while preventing the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF).”
He added, “The IATF directed the DA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Trade and Industry to jointly implement the said resolution.”
In the last two weeks, the price of pork in local markets rose significantly.
This was attributed to the tight supply of the food item as the government struggle to contain the spread of ASF.
The special lane as well as the proposed prize freeze for pork, were among the policies considered by the government to make sure the product remains affordable for most consumers.
Travel guidelines
Aside from the special lane, IATF resolution 97 also contained the additional guidelines for foreign nationals (FN), who are exempted from travel restrictions in entering the country.
Roque said the FNs should have a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility
They will also be tested for novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on the sixth day from the date of their arrival as well as be subjected to maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.
Roque said the Bureau of Immigration will be releasing guidelines in the implementation of the new policy, which will take effect on Feb. 1, 2021.
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