AMID CRISIS IN MINDANAO: DA assures Region 6 is rice sufficient

EXCEPT for Negros Occidental, the top official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas assured that the region remains rice sufficient amid the crisis in Mindanao.

DA-6 Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter said Iloilo’s Rice Sufficiency Level is 176%, followed by Antique with 173% and Capiz with 137%.

Guimaras and Aklan are 107% rice sufficient while Negros Occidental has the lowest at 86%.

“Rice sufficient kita except for Negros Occidental but gamay na lang. We are hoping ngawithin 2 to 3 years maka-cope na ang Negros Occidental and mangin rice sufficient,” Recoter said.

Last week, Zamboanga City and Isabela City were placed under the state of calamity because of the upsurge in prices of rice due to the recent crackdown on smuggling operations.

Residents of Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, who have been relying on smuggled rice from Vietnam and Thailand, were affected by the crisis.

Meanwhile, Recoter noted that they will be conducting simultaneous Provincial Pre-Food Security Workshop on September 26-27.

Mayors, municipal Agriculturists, municipal planning and development officers, agriculture and fishery councils of the six provinces will be gathered with the goal of coming up with a Local Food Security Plan based on the theme “Mamayan ko, Pakainin ko.”

“Simultaneous ang workshop. During the crafting, the LGUS will identify based on their population, their prime commodities and if there are potential areas for expansion within their municipalities or cities,” Recoter said.

The move was in relation to the recent announcement of Department of Agriculture urging the LGUs to craft their own food security plans.

Recoter emphasized that by virtue of Local Government Code and Agriculture Fisheries Modernization Act, mayors have a big role in ensuring food security in their areas.

“Sila ang kabalo sa ila area kung sufficient kag kung bastante sila sa mga commodity. If ever nga indi pa sila sufficient then may possibility nga makuha sila sa iban nga area ukonneighboring municipalities,” she noted.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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