MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured a steady supply of food and rice for the Philippines despite the anticipated agricultural damage from natural disasters. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa dismissed fears of a rice shortage, stating that there is sufficient supply from both local production and imports.

“In terms sa bigas na meron tayo ngayon, in terms of volume na meron tayo, there’s no reason na matakot tayo,” De Mesa said.

The DA recorded over 2.8 million metric tons of rice imports since January, including the 296,350 MT received in August.

The combined effects of El Niño, shearline, northeast monsoon, low-pressure area trough, Typhoon Aghon, Super Typhoon Carina, and the southwest monsoon, as well as the initial agricultural damage from Tropical Storm Enteng from January to September, have led to rice production losses exceeding PHP8.46 billion, or 386,960.34 MT.

“Sa rice yun, kung ito nasa almost 400,000 (MT), syempre wala pa yung epekto ng La Niña ‘di ba? So, mabi-breach mo na iyong normal average annual losses,” De Mesa said.

The DA recorded 979,125 MT of crop losses and agricultural damage amounting to PHP23 billion.

Nevertheless, the Agriculture official pointed out that without the DA’s mitigation efforts, the impact of El Niño and other disasters could have been worse. “Iyong expectation natin sa El Niño nasa (our expected losses for El Niño is about) 300,000 MT to 400,000 MT iyong mawawala. Pero iyong nawala 150,000 MT hanggang 200,000 MT,” De Mesa said.

Additionally, the Agriculture official pledged measures to mitigate the effects of the impending La Niña phenomenon, including the completion, maintenance, and repair of the country’s irrigation systems.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Enteng caused PHP350.85 million in early damage, affecting 13,623 farmers and fisherfolk, according to the DA.

Most of the recorded damage occurred in rice production, amounting to PHP333.08 million, followed by corn at PHP14.01 million and high-value crops at PHP3.76 million.

The DA promised to distribute PHP202.86 million in seeds, bio-control measures, and farm tools, as well as provide up to PHP25,000 in loans from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program and indemnification funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

“Best possible efforts are being undertaken to carry out assistance and appropriate interventions to the affected farmers,” the DA said.

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