As part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure food security amid crises, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured that rice supply remains sufficient in areas affected by Typhoons Kristine and Leon.

In a televised briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), DA Director Lorna Calda said 1,447 bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority were distributed to local government units in Ilocos and Cagayan regions.

Calda said the agency will also deploy KADIWA stores to make more affordable food supplies available to affected residents.

The DA official said about P1 billion in the agency’s quick response fund is available for the rehabilitation and recovery of the agriculture sector.

Calda said about P541.02 million in agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry from DA Regional Offices in the Cordillera Region, Regions III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VIII, XII, and XIII are available for assistance.

Another P500 million for the Survival and Recovery Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, with a maximum P25,000 loanable amount payable in three years at zero interest rate, will be extended to affected farmers, Calda said.

On the other hand, the farmers in devastated areas will be indemnified through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., he added. | PND

Published Date: October 31, 2024