Private firms may be allowed to import rice

Private companies may be allowed to import up to 200,000 metric tons (MTs) of rice to ensure adequate supplies as a dry spell continues to threaten the Philippines’ production of the grain. This was announced by the Philippines’ National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday, after it proposed to import an additional three million MTs of the staple to cover a potential supply shortfall owing to the El Niño phenomenon. "So kung kailangan natin dagdagan ang aangkatin [na bigas] to prepare for the effect of the El Niño gagawin po natin," NFA chair Rex Estoperez told reporters. (So if we need to import more rice to prepare for the effect of El Niño, we will do so.) The Philippines, which has 14 million hectares of agricultural lands, is now the world's biggest importer of rice. [See: Poor Filipinos are ‘addicted’ to rice] The planned rice purchase increase was the result of a drought that has dried up various farm lands in the country since December. Besides farm lands, the level of several water systems in the country, including Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, Ala River and Lake Lanao in Mindanao, and Chico River in Calinga have been falling, creating adverse effects in the fishery and tourism sectors. Whitewater rafting along Chico River has been temporarily halted ever since its water level went down, reducing the area’s income from tourism. "Yung mga income nang dating empleyado...as early as December nawala. Hotels yung sa transpo tsaka kami operations nang negosyo," said Natividad Sugguiyao owner manager of Chico River Quest Inc. (Employees’ income sources have disappeared as early as December. Hotels and transport companies have also suffered.) In the meantime, Mayor Rey Lacaste of Buhi, Camarines Sur was forced to shut down the irrigation gates of Lake Buhi after its falling water levels continue to threaten aquatic life. "Hindi ako papayag kung lalong gagamitin yan ako mamomroblema dito sa bayan...ang daming mangingisda na magugutom," Lacaste said, after the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) reportedly threatened to file charges against him. (I will not allow the continued use of the river for irrigation because I will have problems in the town. Many fishermen will go hungry.) Besides dry land and water systems, the drought is also threatening the water supply in Metro Manila since the level of Angat Dam – the Philippine capital’s primary water source – dips further. GMA News' Jun Veneracion in his report said the dam's current water level is now 195.64 or 6.26 meters lower from the normal level of 201.9. "Siguro alarming state na to," said Roque de Guzman, Angat's maintenance manager. (At this rate, I guess this is already at an alarming state.) Angat is the third largest dam in the Philippines and supplies 97 percent potable water needs of Metro Manila. - Aie Balagtas See, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV