Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that the country has enough rice stock to last even after the El Niño phenomenon next year.
The president – who’s also Department of Agriculture secretary – met with the Private Sector Advisory Council and the Philippine Rice Stakeholders Movement in Malacañang on Tuesday.
\”The rice situation is manageable and stable. There is enough rice for the Philippines up to and after the El Niño next year,\” Marcos said in a statement.
But according to Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombillo, the projected ending stock for this year is 1.96 million metric tons, which is enough for 52 days.
Sombillo added that the Philippine Statistic Authority’s projection, on the other hand, presents a better scenario with 2.12 MMT that is good for 57 days.
Palay harvest season is set to start September until November.
The state weather bureau announced the start of El Niño weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean last July, which increases the likelihood of dry spells and droughts in the country in the last quarter of the year and the first half of 2024.
The national government earlier formed an inter-agency National El Niño Team that will harmonize efforts to mitigate the impact of the weather phenomenon.
