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MANILA, Philippines — The government program to cut logistics costs has started to benefit farmers and traders shipping rice and fish products locally, improving food supply in the midst of elevated oil prices.

The PPA yesterday announced the launch of the Piso Ro-Ro Terminal Fee (RRTF) in select ports in Visayas, bringing down the RRTF of transporting agricultural products to just P1.

The PPA said the program’s maiden beneficiary in the Port of Culasi in Roxas City was a rolling cargo bound for Romblon with sacks of milled rice.

Likewise, the Piso RRTF’s first beneficiary in the Port of Jordan in Camiguin was a rolling cargo traveling to Iloilo with fresh milkfish in tow. The PPA expects more farmers and traders to apply for the program to mitigate logistics costs.

The Piso RRTF also simplified the documentation requirements for farm shipments. Authorities will only conduct a visual inspection of the cargo to ensure that the load matches the declaration.

“The program aims to reduce logistics costs and expedite the flow of essential agricultural goods in ports through the grant of discounts,” the PPA said.

Under the PPA’s Administrative Order 3-2026, the Piso RRTF covers vehicles loaded on roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) vehicles carrying raw and unprocessed agricultural products.

The coverage includes grains like rice and corn, fruits and vegetables, fishery products, and raw livestock and poultry, allowing them to be shipped for a terminal fee of only P1.

In particular, the PPA gives out the discounted RRTF to both Type 3 and 4 vehicles. Type 3 refers to light delivery trucks and pick-up vans, while Type 4 covers heavy delivery trucks.

The PPA started rolling out the Piso RRTF on April 10. The program will last for six months, subject to review for possible extension, modification or termination. The measure is part of the government’s interventions to keep food prices stable.

PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the agency expects negligible losses from the issuance of discounted RRTFs, as he said funds would still be enough to finance priority projects.

“All plans and programs of the PPA this year will push through,” Santiago told The STAR.

Source : msn