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Agri dept says PH rice supply 'sufficient' despite Paeng onslaught

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Various types of rice on display in a store in Quezon City on July 19, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/business/11/03/20220719-inflation-market-gc-5.jpg"/><figcaption>Various types of rice on display in a store in Quezon City on July 19, 2022.<em> George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The country&#x27;s supply of rice remains stable despite the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, the Department of Agriculture said Thursday.</p><p>For the fourth quarter, the rice inventory level is projected at 2.59 million metric tons, which is equivalent to 70 days, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said.</p><p>&quot;With a damage of 95,694 metric tons, of course, it will affect the supply. But as far as sufficiency is concerned, we are still very sufficient,&quot; Evangelista told ANC&#x27;s &quot;Headstart&quot;.</p><p>The agency is also not considering importing rice despite the damage brought by Paeng.</p><p>Evangelista noted that local production of palay has increased this year to 12.67 million metric tons.</p><p>&quot;We are greatly improving as far production is concerned. We&#x27;ve seen our consumers preferring local rice as well,&quot; she added.</p><p>Due to the impact of Paeng, the DA will be distributing rice, corn and vegetable seeds to farmers.</p><p>The agency will also distribute drugs and biologics for its livestock and poultry programs and fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.</p><p>Farmers and fisherfolk can also avail of loans up to P25,000 without interest and payable for 3 years through the Survival and Recovery or SURE loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Evangelista said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/03/22/paeng-kills-150-affects-almost-4-million-ndrrmc">Paeng death toll climbs to 150 with almost 4 million affected: NDRRMC</a></li></ul><p>Paeng unleashed torrential rains last week, which spurred floods and landslides in parts of the country. </p><p>The storm, with international name Nalgae, killed at least 150 and injured 128 others, latest tally from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed.</p><p>Nearly 4 million people were affected by Paeng.</p><p>Agricultural damage has reached P2.74 billion, according to DA.</p><p>Some 75,000 farmers and fisherfolk were affected. Rice was the worst-hit crop, with an estimated losses of P1.71 billion.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2323150" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

The country's supply of rice remains stable despite the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, the Department of Agriculture said Thursday.