PH has enough rice supply despite ‘Ruby’ damage

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday assured that the country has enough supply of rice, particularly in areas hit by Typhoon “Ruby.”

“As mandated, the NFA has 15 days buffer stock for the entire country and 17 days in critical areas like Regions 4, 5, and 8,” NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said in a statement on Tuesday.

He dismissed reports that the government ordered the importation of rice because of Ruby.

“NFA is not importing more rice this year, contrary to reports that another 600,000 metric tons of rice will be imported,” the statement said.

Dalisay said they were certain that no rice will be further imported within the year.

“As for an importation next year, the NFA Council has yet to decide on that. We are in the middle of a calamity and the NFA is focused on delivering services to the victims of Typhoon Ruby,” Dalisay said.

He explained that the NFA has released 70,000 bags of rice in the affected areas through various government agencies and local government units.

According to the latest bulletin of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Ruby has so far resulted in P1.04 billion worth of agricultural damage in the Bicol, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions.

Ruby, which was recently downgraded to tropical depression, ravaged provinces in Visayas and Southern Luzon. It is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.

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