PNoy: Rice supply sufficient for Xmas season

HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac – Despite the damage caused by the recent typhoons on agriculture, the country still has enough supply of rice for the Christmas season and until early next year, President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday. “Inaasahan ko sa Enero, syempre kasama na ‘yong Pasko, sa Disyembre, talaga pong marami tayong bigas — ang tinataya po’y may 100 days supply tayo so 34,000 metric tons per day," Aquino said in his speech during the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference here. Lauding the Department of Agriculture’s effort to cut in half the rice shortage in the country, Aquino said he thinks the Philippines is now ready to export rice. “Sa totoo lang po, kada magpadala ng numero sa akin si Procy, ‘pag kino-compute ko po, ‘Procy, pwede na ‘ata tayong mag-export’," he said, referring to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. Alcala, however, was not yet sold to the idea, as admitted by Aquino. “Ang sabi po niya, ‘Hindi pa ho tapos ang mga bagyo baka pwede ho saka na’." DA efforts lauded He said the ample supply of rice was made possible through the DA’s effort to improve the irrigation system, educate the farmers, and help them market their produce. “Sa malubhang may problemang irigasyon, kinumpuni ng maayos, gumawa ng bagong irrigation system. Doon naman sa maling mga istilo ng panananim ay talaga naman pong nagturo sila. Tinulungan rin po niya ‘yong upland farmers natin na magkaroon ng mga marketing arms para talaga namang mabuo ang kanilang kapaki-pakinabang sa kanilang tinatanim," Aquino said. He believed that if this will continue, the Philippines will be able to reverse the situation and become a rice exporting country once again. “Nalalapit na tayong maging talagang supisiyente sa ating pangangailangan; baka dumating pang ibabalik na natin sitwasyon tayo ang nagluluwal ng sobra nating pagkain," Aquino said. Organic agriculture Also in his speech, Aquino directed the DA to ensure that 2 percent of its annual budget be allocated for the implementation of its programs and policies on organic agriculture. “Inaasahan ko ang tuluy-tuloy na pagdodoble-kayod ng Department of Agriculture sa pagbuo at pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya at programa na magpapabilis sa pag-unlad ng organic farming sa bansa, sa ilalim ng kanilang National Organic Agriculture Program," the President said. “Katuwang naman ang Department of Budget and Management, sisiguruhin natin na mailalaan ng DA ang hindi bababa sa dalawang porsiyento ng kanilang taunang budget sa pagpapatupad sa nabanggit na programa, alinsunod sa RA 10068," he added. Republic Act 10068, otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, strengthens the State's policy to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. Aquino is promoting organic agriculture as a means to address the issue of food security in the country. “Habang pinapalawak natin ang access ng bawat pamilya sa sapat na pagkain, kailangan din nating pag-igtingin ang pagpapalaganap ng mga kaalaman at teknolohiya na magpapanumbalik sa kalusugan ng mga lupang sakahan. Dito pumapasok ang halaga ng organic agriculture," he said. Aquino said that through organic agriculture, farmers are ensured of cumulatively conditioning and enriching the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, and further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public. He added that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has determined that organic agriculture has the potential to increase farm productivity thereby increasing farmers' wages and provide food for all. "Makakatulong din ito sa pagbaba ng gastos sa pagsasaka," the President said. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News