EDITORIAL - Food chain disruptors

High fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, inadequate cold storage facilities, natural calamities, bird flu and African swine fever have been blamed for shortages and consequent high prices of several basic agricultural commodities.

Another factor can be added to this: the cost of “facilitation fees.” Farm operators are reportedly complaining about the numerous inspections that they have to go through in transporting their commodities from farm to market, with fees paid at multiple inspection points. In some cases, random inspections are added to the regular checks, with the “inspectors” collecting fees so that a delivery vehicle can be waved through.

The farm operators say that many of the inspection points are set up by local government units. At the height of the COVID pandemic, those tasked to enforce mobility restrictions were ordered not to disrupt the flow of supplies especially in and out of Metro Manila, where the strictest lockdown had been imposed. Even with COVID restrictions now lifted, however, farm operators complain that LGUs are finding ways of slowing down the supply chain and imposing unnecessary and redundant fees on the delivery of goods.

President Marcos might want to look into this problem, as players across the food value chain point fingers at each other as the biggest cause of soaring prices of basic commodities including sugar, onions and eggs. The President has said he could see no sufficient reason for the current spike in the prices of chicken eggs, even if the high cost of chicken feed is factored in.

While LGUs enjoy a wide degree of autonomy and even barangays can impose fees on businesses and other economic activities, the national government can still wield control through the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which also has jurisdiction over the Philippine National Police. The DILG can work with other government agencies in drawing clear-cut guidelines on the inspection of agricultural commodities.

It is possible for the PNP and DILG to identify persons or offices that are collecting unnecessary fees and requirements that are disrupting supply chains and pushing up prices of farm commodities, from eggs and other poultry products to pork, onions and native garlic. Those out merely to collect grease money from farm entrepreneurs must be apprehended and penalized.

While cracking down on such lowlifes, the national government can also offer incentives and recognition to LGUs that promote increased farm production and efficient food supply chains. The nation is facing a crisis in food security and dealing with it calls for all hands on deck. Instead of aggravating the problem, LGUs must be part of the solution.