Marcos prioritizes rice supply, power restoration in typhoon-hit areas

Residents transport a motorcycle on a boat to avoid floodwaters left by torrential rains of Typhoon Egay in Calumpit, Bulacan on July 29, 2023. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said that the government will focus on ensuring sufficient rice supply, as well as the quick restoration of electricity in communities devastated by Super Typhoon Egay.

“Again, rice, for me, is the most important,” Marcos said during a situation briefing with different agencies and local officials in Abra.

The President noted the government has to find rice suppliers so that National Food Authority (NFA) could provide all the emergency support.

Since Benguet’s vegetable farms were affected by the typhoon, Marcos also said local vegetable supply will be reviewed to determine remedial measures to stabilize prices.

Explaining importation is not a policy, the President said it will not be resorted to unless prices become unreasonable for the public.

“Hindi ‘yan magiging policy,” Marcos said. “We will not import any agriculture [product] unless we see that the supply is so low that the prices will become out of reach sa ordinary consumer.”

Marcos also said the government will concentrate on restoring power supply in Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative (CAR) regions.

“I’m looking at the report of the Department of Energy (DOE). So, what do we do? Of course, we are only at 2.5, 3 percent in terms of our electrification,” he said. “Tayo ang pinaka-behind sa Ilocos Norte, we’re at 2 (percent),” he said.

Citing DOE record, Marcos said Ilocos Sur is at 37 percent in terms of energy restoration; Cagayan, 42 percent; Abra (Bangued only), 86 percent; Pangasinan, 100 percent; Cagayan, 97 percent; and Isabela, 100 percent.

Marcos said although the government wants to restore power quickly, the huge number of toppled poles and power lines will make immediate electricity restoration difficult.

“That’s why it’s going to take a little time. So, of course, we’re going to do it as quickly as possible but…we can’t rush it. It needs to be done properly, otherwise, the [substations] will get damaged,” he said.

He also reported that Abra Electrical Cooperative partially restored one municipality, with 26 other municipalities awaiting the resumption of power supply.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines line from San Esteban to Bangued has been restored, Marcos said, adding that on  Saturday, ABRECO energized Bangued.

However, an ongoing patrol and assessment of the electric cooperative’s distribution system and facilities are still being conducted to confirm if it is ready to receive power, he said.

(This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor.)