The Department of Agriculture (DA) assures there will be no shortage in food supply in Metro Manila amid the implementation of “community quarantine” in the National Capital Region due to the COVID-19 threat.
“Movement of goods and services are not impeded, there will be continuous movement… Distribution, marketing of food products in Metro Manila continues as being supplied” DA Secretary William Dar says.
The Agriculture department explains that the entry of products to Metro Manila will not be blocked as they undergo strict screening in their points of origin.
Based on the data of the DA, the country still has rice supply good for 35 weeks or an equivalent of nine months. Food suppliers have assured the DA that they will allot food stocks for Metro Manila.
The 16 cities will be allotted 13,000 metric tons of vegetables, 11,000 metric tons of pork and chicken, 10,000 metric tons of fish, and a million tons of sugar.
Dar urges the public to avoid hoarding as there is “enough food supply” to purchase“during this time of health emergency.”
Meanwhile, the agency has strictly implemented the suggested retail prices (SRP) in public markets. Increase in prices of pork, fish, and other agricultural products is prohibited.
The public is encouraged to report abusive business owners through the DA consumer hotline 892290140. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
