MikeLigalig.com

President Benigno S. Aquino III said there is no need to import rice this year despite the recent onslaught of super typhoon Juan.

The President made the announcement during a press conference at the Cauayan airport after assessing the typhoon damage and spearheading the relief distribution in Barangay Baligatan in Ilagan, Isabela Thursday morning.

Agriculture Secretary Angel Alcala told reporters that damage to rice crops in Isabela, the second biggest rice producer in Luzon, was minimal as farmers were able to harvest early in anticipation of Typhoon Juan.

Alcala said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will immediately distribute planting materials with short gestation period to enable farmers to catch up with the next planting season.

Earlier, the National Food Authority (NFA) said the rice shortfall due to the typhoon in northern Luzon is manageable and the country still has a rice buffer stock good for 52 days which is more than the grains agency’s mandate of keeping a 30-day supply of rice.

“So, at this point in time we are not contemplating on any importation,” the President said. (PNA)