By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The supply of rice remains stable despite the effects of global oil pressures, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured on Tuesday.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the rice supply will be secured for the entire year, considering a good local palay (unhusked rice) harvest alongside global rice availability from the world’s major rice exporters like Vietnam and India.
“If ever there will be a problem, it’s not going to be this year,” he said.
Tiu Laurel also reiterated that the 20 percent projected decline in palay output only represents the “worst case scenario” in relation to the effects of Middle East tensions.
The estimation factors in the higher global oil prices and increased fertilizer prices, but with no government intervention in place.
Tiu Laurel then assured that “early action, strong inventory levels, and flexible policy tools” will help in maintaining food security.
Among the early interventions of the government are the release of fuel subsidies, target distribution of the PHP10 billion worth of Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk, planned utilization of part of the quick response fund for the procurement of biofertilizers and additional PHP20 billion for farm input, among others.
The DA is also providing logistical support to local food producers to cushion rising transport costs.
The DA, likewise, assured a sufficient supply of the PHP20 per kilogram under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na.\
Tiu Laurel said the initiative uses only rice purchased by the National Food Authority from local farmers — reinforcing both affordability for consumers and support for domestic producers. (PNA)
