To ensure the continuous supply of agricultural goods and fish in the market, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved recommendations from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to exempt workers in the agricultural and fisheries sectors from the Enhanced Community Quarantine now being enforced in Luzon.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday announced that the government will “allow all farming and fishing activities to continue” during the quarantine period subject to the implementation of skeleton workforces and social distancing measures.
It likewise allows agricultural supply stores and outlets and veterinary clinics to operate.
In a press briefing, Nograles said that IATF Resolution No. 15 exempts “all healthy farmers and farmworkers, fishers, and agri-business personnel.”
It likewise allows agricultural supply stores and outlets and veterinary clinics to operate, the Palace official.
Nograles reiterated the “unhampered movement of all supplies used for agriculture, including food packaging and manufacturing materials” and the reactivation of Local Price Coordinating Councils to strengthen price monitoring and enforcement.
This is consistent with Proclamation No. 929 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, which declares a State of Calamity throughout the country for six months.
Pursuant to Section 17 of Republic Act No. 10121, a State of Calamity shall make mandatory (1) the imposition of a price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council, and (2) the monitoring, prevention, and control of the Local Price Coordination Council of overpricing/profiteering, and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and petroleum products.
Aside from these measures, Nograles said the IATF also approved the recommendation of the DA to step up the implementation of two of its programs: first, KADIWA ni Ani at Kita to support food availability, accessibility, and price stability; and second, Ahon Lahat, Pagkain, Sapat kontra COVID-19.