By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Agriculture (D.A.) on Tuesday assured close monitoring of local markets following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Nando.
D.A. regional field offices also began validating agricultural damage in the northeast and northwest portions of Luzon.
In an interview, D.A. Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said there were no logistical challenges that could trigger price spikes in agricultural commodities, “Nakabantay naman palagi ang D.A., ‘yong ating bantay-presyo monitoring team. Kasama palagi diyan ‘yong DTI at local government units.”
He added, “Ang maganda dito, wala naman reported na saradong daan, tuluy-tuloy naman ‘yung byahe ng mga produkto. So we are not expecting sudden surges sa presyo, especially those galing sa Norte.”
The Agriculture Spokesperson also said no fluctuations were expected in retail rice prices, given the stable supply during the peak palay (unhusked rice) harvest in the wet season.
As of Sept. 22, premium imported rice in Metro Manila ranged from P42 to P52 per kilo, while local premium rice was priced between P42 and P60 per kilo, according to the D.A. Bantay Presyo. Imported and local well-milled rice were priced at P38 to P48 per kilo; and P38 to P52 per kilo, respectively.
De Mesa said, noting that rice inventory remains strong—with import arrivals reaching 3.08 million metric tons as of Sept. 11, based on Bureau of Plant Industry data, “Doon sa bigas, hindi natin ine-expect ito sa ngayon unless mayroong sobrang laking damage na dumating.”
Vegetable prices, however, may adjust within two weeks due to production losses, “‘Yong gulay ang posibleng maapektuhan dahil mabilis maapektuhan ang mga gulayan, lalo na kapag dumating ‘yung report galing Benguet.”
Initial reports showed highland vegetables in Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya were affected, while the biggest palay losses were recorded in Quezon.
The D.A. assured aid for affected farmers to support swift recovery. To date, the agency has prepositioned about 113,000 bags of palay seedlings, more than 100,000 bags of corn seeds, and 13,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds in regional field offices.
The National Food Authority (NFA) has over two million bags of rice on standby for local government units and relief agencies, while farmers may avail themselves of loans and indemnification through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). (PNA)
