Bacolod City – In relation to the 60-day ban on rice importation in the Philippines, Department of Agriculture–Negros Island Region Director Jose Albert Barrogo said recently that the province of Negros Occidental has a sufficient supply of rice for the period.
Barrogo disclosed that the province has 85 percent sufficiency on the supply of rice during the period of the suspension of rice importation, starting September 1, as per the declaration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
However, if a shortage of supply occurs during the period, additional supply will come from Panay as based on the standard commodity flow.
The DA also believed that the suspension of rice importation can help local farmers as the mandate will take effect during the harvest season.
“At least it could help our farmers, because of the timing. On September 1 it will take effect so timely, since that’s the start of our harvest, but there are also other farmers that are harvesting starting the last week of August,” Barrogo cited when asked if the initiative can help local farmers.
The average price of palay purchased from farmers runs from 16 to 18 pesos per kilo and can be as low as 13 pesos, Barrogo said.
On the other hand, he also clarified that while Negros Occidental had a stable supply, Negros Oriental and Siquijor will be affected by the suspension, since both are dependent on other areas in terms of rice supply.
“Both have low sufficiency levels, but it will be supplied by Cebu,” he said. (Richard Caballero Jr. via tvds photo by tvds)