Agriculture Secretary Dar assures Filipinos, PHL has enough food

March 16, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY —Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Friday (March 13) assured all Filipinos that there is enough food for everyone and are accessible in public markets through outlets of DA-initiated “KADIWA ni Ani at Kita.”
The DA chief made this assurance as some areas in Metro Manila were placed under “community quarantine” due to the Covid-19.
“We call on the general public to buy only their daily or weekly food requirements and refrain from overstocking or panic buying,” agriculture secretary Dar said in a press statement.
“We at the Department of Agriculture will ensure the sufficient and continuous supply of basic necessities and perishable commodities, and make these available in public markets, and Kadiwa stores for the benefit of all family households, particularly in depressed communities,” the press statement further states.
“For our basic staple, rice, the current inventory at various NFA warehouses nationwide is good for at least 80 days, and it will be further augmented by the incoming palay harvest this current dry season, providing additional stocks for another two to three months.”
“Together with the rice stocks held by the private sector and households, we will have a 35-week rice supply, which means this is good for at least nine months,” Secretary Dar emphasized.
“Further, to ensure readily available and affordable supply of other basic food commodities, we have gathered initial commitments from the private sector and DA regional offices to sufficiently supply the needs of Metro Manila residents, under our Food Resiliency Action Plan,” he added.
He said the plan includes the strategic positioning and efficient distribution of basic food commodities, including the monitoring of suggested retail prices of the same in public markets in Metro Manila.
The agri chief said this is also an opportune time for Metro Manilans to consider engaging in food production via urban gardening or aquaculture in their respective backyards, verandas, roof tops, and designated areas in the barangay, school or community.
Primo Agatep/ABN