Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala assured that the country has sufficient rice supply despite the damages caused by recent typhoons.
During a budget hearing at the Senate Tuesday, Alcala reported that this year’s predicted palay production of 17 million metric tons will fall short by a million metric tons due to typhoons Pedring and Quiel.
The agriculture secretary however clarified that although the target production won't be met, there is enough palay to effectively respond to the needs of the country.
Senator Franklin Drilon, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, stated that there should be no increase in the prices of rice.
“May nasira ngunit ang production sa Visayas ay sufficient to partially cover up for the production loss in Luzon,” Drilon said.
The senator also guaranteed that in case more typhoons hit the country, there is enough production and palay in stock, and they have prepared an allowance of supply of rice for more weather disturbances.
Alcala also reiterated during the hearing that the department stays firm on its program for self-sufficiency by 2013, which means the Philippines’ rice production will go up to 21 million metric tons and the country would no longer have to rely on rice imports.
He added that such target have been called ambitious but he remains confident that his department is doing the right thing, amid the spike of rice production and decrease of rice imports this year.
Drilon also expressed Senate’s support on DA’s self-sufficiency program saying, “We will provide the necessary funds in order to support our rice production, particularly for self sufficiency by 2013.”
