Ample supply of rice, fish until yearend; pork enough until Q3–Duterte report

MANILA, Philippines — While there is enough supply of rice, fish, and other commodities until yearend, the supply of pork may register a deficit in the last quarter of the year.

President Rodrigo Duterte bared this on Monday in his sixth report to Congress which details government actions in view of the coronavirus crisis.

According to the report, the Department of Agriculture (DA) projects a surplus stock of 3,326,161 metric tons (MT) of rice; 4,073,451 MT of corn; and 590,627 MT of chicken by the end of the year.

In terms of fish supply, the agriculture department, likewise, projects a surplus ending stock of 16,914 MT, the report states.

However, pork supply is only enough until the third quarter of the year and may register a deficit in the fourth quarter.

DA said there is a projected annual demand of 1,203,827 MT of pork with a projected supply of only 1,118,101 MT.

For sugar supply, the report states that there is available supply of raw sugar for four months, and refined sugar for five months as per the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

“The DILG issued a directive to all LGUs to participate in, and align their actions with, the Rice Resiliency Program of the DA, which seeks to increase food sufficiency and ensure food availability and affordability across the country,” the report states.

In compliance with Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which granted the President additional powers to address the coronavirus pandemic, Duterte is required to submit a weekly report to Congress “of all acts performed pursuant to this Act.”

He is required to submit the report every Monday of the week.

JPV