00:00In the wake of Typhoon Tino and with Typhoon Uwan approaching, the Department of Agriculture is preparing emergency measures to stabilize food supply and support affected farmers and fisher folk.
00:12This includes possible price freezes, importation of key crops, and financial assistance to ensure communities have access to essential goods.
00:20Our VEL Custodio tells us more.
00:22Following the declaration of President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. of a state of national calamity due to the damage left by Typhoon Tino and in preparation for the impact of Typhoon Uwan,
00:35the Department of Agriculture, or DA, announced that a price freeze may be imposed in areas severely affected by the calamity.
00:42If we need to do a price freeze, we will do so, but unfortunately, kasi high-value crops, medyo 60 commodities yun, so we have to really identify kung ano yung masya short, depende sa tinamaan ng bagyo.
00:59If the market of a particular province is Metro Manila, then pwede siya Metro Manila mag-price.
01:07According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Chulaurel Jr., an initial P255 million worth of agricultural inputs has been allocated as assistance for farmers and fisher folks affected by Typhoon Tino.
01:21This includes fertilizers, feeds, pesticides, and repair materials for fishing boats.
01:27Ang most affected sa atin dito with the fishermen, fisher folks, so we are also ready to deploy yung mga Bureau of Fisheries vessels to assist them and rebuild their vessels and yung kanilang mga fishing, bigay ng fishing gears, mga payaw, mga kung ano-ano pang kailangan natin bigay.
01:46According to the Secretary, the rice sector was not significantly affected by the recent typhoon since most of the crops had already been harvested.
01:55However, the damage to high-value crops was greater.
01:59In response, assistance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and the Survival and Recovery Loan Program is ready,
02:06allowing affected farmers and fisher folks to avail of P25,000 in cash assistance, payable in three years.
02:13To ensure that supply remains stable and the prices of basic goods will not spike,
02:18the importation is already underway, with 1,600 metric tons of carrots having entered in the country as of October.
02:25Imports of onion and broccoli are also ongoing and will be halted once the harvest season begins.
02:31Around 55,000 metric tons of galunggong are being imported until January,
02:36and 2,000 metric tons of other seafood products such as sardines, squid, and other non-locally produced fish.
02:43The DA also assured that there is an ample supply in coal storage facilities,
02:48even in Visayas, which was heavily affected by Typhoon Tino.
02:52Senator Francis Pangilinan urged local government units to coordinate with farmers,
02:57especially in areas expected to be affected by the approaching Typhoon 1.
03:01Baka pe pwede na mag-umpisa ng early harvest ang mga farmer ng kanilang mga produkto
03:07at bilihin na ng LGU dahil magagamit din naman talaga immediately para sa mga evacuation centers
03:17kung sakaling merong mga evacuos.
03:19Under Executive Order 101, or the strengthening of the implementation of Sagip Sakaak,
03:26the national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and LGUs
03:31are now allowed to purchase storm-damaged palay, especially the Typhoon 1,
03:36is expected to hit rice-producing regions in northern Luzon.
03:40The DA and Department of Agrarian Reform, or DAR,
03:44announced in a joint press conference,
03:46the floor price that will be set for palay to be purchased by NGA,
03:50GOCC, and LGUs under the implementation of Executive Order 101
03:54will initially follow the National Food Authority floor price of 17 to 23 pesos per kilo for wet palay
04:01depending on the production costs per province,
04:04while dry palay will be priced at 23 to 30 pesos per kilo.
04:08The final floor price is expected to be released in February
04:11by the steering committee composed of the DA, DILG, DTI, DSWD, DAR, and NFA.
04:19Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Chu Laurel announced that the tariff of imported rice will be increased in January
04:26following the end of the importation ban on well-milled and regular milled rice.
04:30However, it may not yet increase to the 35% rice tariff.
04:34As far as the tariff is concerned, I am not promoting na ibalik siya sa 35 immediately.
04:43Pag we start buying, sigurado yan yung presyo ng international price pataas eh.
04:48So kung sinagad natin kagad ng 35 yan at we start buying,
04:56ang presyo niyan from 450, minimum yan, $50 more yan sa international market.
05:01And if we impose the 35% immediately ng tax, then tingin ko yung consumer natin tatamaan.
05:08One thing is for sure, it will not be 15%.
05:11An internal decision regarding the tariff rate on rice imports in January
05:16is expected to be finalized by December 15.
05:19Vel Custodio, for the National TV, for a new and better Philippines.
