Cebu Still Has 2.1M Sacks of NFA Rice Despite El Niño

The National Food Authority (NFA) 7 has assured the public that there is no rice shortage in Cebu, which still has a stock of some 2.1 million sacks of NFA rice despite the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Nestor Rey Alcoseba, NFA 7 assistant regional director, also said there is no movement in the prices of rice in the market in Cebu because of the stable supply of NFA rice.

“In fact, if you will go to the market, you’ll see that there has been no change in the prices,” Alcoseba said.

He said Cebu continues to import rice from various rice-producing provinces since Cebu is not an agricultural province.

In last year’s importation cycle, he said an estimated 2.18 million sacks of rice were allocated for Central Visayas.

Alcoseba said there are still around 2.1 million NFA rice sacks available.

Earlier, the Cebu Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PAO) reported that the El Niño has damaged some PHP140.4 million worth of crops in Cebu.

Francisco Sopsop, Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 planning division chief, said they received some PHP22 million for rehabilitation of El Niño-damaged areas.

He said the funds are for seeds, water pumps and biologics. (PNA) FFC/EB/EBP