El Niño Causes Govt. Deficits on Foods to P2B

The effect of mild El Niño phenomenon to our daily foods is now reaching to more than P2 billion in terms of rice harvest deficit, this according to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alacala.

Alacala told this during a media interview in his visit to Dalaguete town recently to bless the launching of Dalaguete Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (DAPTC).

However, the amount, he said is just a tip of an iceberg as it is only more than one per cent from a total food requirements of Filipinos which is reaching now to more then P1.5 trillion a year.

“That’s why the case is not so alarming considering the fact that the national government has already prepared a rice contingency program in case the hot season in the country continues to prolong,” he said.

Alacala added that the government is not only busy in the acquisition of rice stocks, imported from Vietnam and other rice supplying countries, “but also the preparation of rice seedlings to be distributed to the group of Filipino farmers during the rainy season”, he pointed out.

In region 7, the province of Bohol is considered as the biggest rice producing area but its total harvest is just enough to supply the rice needs of its own population.

Therefore Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor may somehow entrusted other regions to supply their rice needs, Alcala stressed.

The fact that Cebu is also a trading center for both foods and non food items, a problem due to lack of rice supply is not badly felt by its residents even during this time that El Niño or hot season is prevailing.

Farmers are only crying to only one basic necessity which is water, causing Alcala to urge them to send letters addressed to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) through him for their rice irrigation facilities needs.

At the same time Alcala also directed all local government officials to see to it that water impounding facilities are regularly operating in areas where plants are basically abundant.

“This is to ensure for their survival until the next rainy season,” Alcala said.