Harlene Delgado, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The National Irrigation Administration has suggested changing the planting calendar for rice to minimize damage to crops due to storms. This was after severe tropical storm Kristine caused an estimated P6 billion worth of damage to rice production.

NIA administrator Engr. Eduardo Guillen said this translates to around 100,000 hectares or 350,000 metric tons of palay.

“Lagi tayong umaasa na hindi tatamaan ang ating mga palayan natin pero ito talagang malaki po ‘yung damage eh. Hindi ito yung expected namin na yearly. So, medyo nabigla rin po tayo dito,” Guillen said.

However, the NIA chief assured that based on his meeting with Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., there will be no shortage of rice supply in the country.

Projected naman po ‘yan, alam na po ng DA kung ilan pa ‘yung dapat nating i-import. So, on top of situation naman ang ating secretary,” he added.

NIA sees the adjustment of the cropping calendar as a long-term solution to rice production loss during the rainy season.

“So ating dalawang dry cropping calendar will be October – November para aani tayo ng February, wala pang bagyo diyan. July kokonti at wala pang bagyo diyan. ‘Pag na-secure natin yung dalawang ani natin ng 2 dry cropping season, okay na po tayo eh,” Guillen explained.

One way to move the cropping calendar, according to NIA, is through the 29-peso Rice-for-All Program.

Guillen said they are eyeing to expand contract farming from 40,000 hectares to 250,000 hectares.

“So makakaasa po tayo na ‘yung move namin na ito ng Department of Agriculture at NIA, mararamdaman po natin ‘yan February-March next year,” Guillen noted.

He also appealed to the public to consider the marginalized sector in purchasing the low-priced commodity.

“Dito sa NIA na lang ano pinapakiusapan namin ‘yung mga katabi namin communities na h’wag nang pumila kasi kung sino man ang pupunta diyan at qualified naman po sila bibigyan ho sila lahat,” Guillen added.

In a Facebook post, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Agriculture Department and the Department of Budget and Management to expand the program and increase the Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers from 21 to 300 by mid-2025.

“This will bring affordable rice within reach for more communities across the country,” Marcos Jr. said.

He also urged local government units to purchase palay directly from farmers to ensure fair prices and steady supply.

Marcos Jr. also tasked the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority to “address rising input costs and climate impacts that affect food prices”.

Published Date: November 6, 2024