THE Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public there is enough supply of produce despite millions worth of damage to crops brought about by typhoon “Crising” and the southwest monsoon (habagat).
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said palay and vegetable supplies remain sufficient, citing good harvests in the previous dry season.
However, if there is any price increase, it should not exceed 10 percent, according to the official.
“Doon sa monitoring natin, base doon sa supply na mayroon tayo in terms sa bigas, sa gulay, marami tayong supply. Actually, sa gulay, kaka-harvest lamang iyan bagama’t iyong mga naapektuhan ay iyong mga huling nagtanim. So, kung mayroon mang mga pagtaas, hindi iyan dapat aabot ng hanggang 10 percent,” De Mesa said in an interview with state-run media PTV on July 24.
Food supply chain remains unhampered amid massive flooding in various parts of the country, he said.
“In fact, iyon pong mga gulay galing sa norte at dito naman po sa Southern Tagalog ay tuluy-tuloy naman po at iyong mga na-interview ng ating mga kasamahan sa media sa mga palengke ay tuluy-tuloy din po iyong pagbagsak ng mga agricultural products sa mga pangunahing pamilihan dito po sa Metro Manila,” he stated.
The agency earlier said damage to the agriculture sector was pegged at P323 million, with over 10,000 metric tons lost in production volume.
Region 4B (MIMAROPA) incurred the biggest loss in agriculture, followed by Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.
Rice fields suffered the most damage (66%), followed by high-value crops (29%) and corn (5%).
Some livestock, fisheries, and irrigation facilities were also reported ravaged.
With the expected onslaught of Typhoon “Emong” in Northern Luzon, De Mesa vowed that the agency stands ready to provide relief to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
These include P1.2 billion standby calamity funds to help in the recovery efforts, such as the distribution of seedlings, livestock drugs, biologics, and fish stock; P400 million survival and recovery loan from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, where affected farmers and fisherfolk can borrow up to P25,000; and P268 million indemnity from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, where about P10,000 to P15,000 is allotted to 45,000 insured beneficiaries affected by “Crising” and habagat. (ABS-CBN News)
