DA: ‘We have enough food’

The Department of Agriculture assured Filipino families that there is enough food and asked the public not to panic.
“We call on the public to buy only their daily or weekly food requirements and refrain from overstocking or panic buying,” said Sec. William Dar.
“We at the Department of Agriculture will ensure the sufficient and continuous supply of basic necessities and perishable commodities, and make these available in public markets for the benefit of all family households, particularly in depressed communities,” he said.
“For our basic staple, rice, the current inventory at various NFA warehouses nationwide is good for at least 80 days, and it will be further augmented by the incoming palay harvest this current dry season, providing additional stocks for another two to three months.”
He said to ensure readily available and affordable supply of other basic food commodities, DA has gathered initial commitments from the private sector and regional offices to supply the needs of Metro Manila residents, under our Food Resiliency Action Plan,” he added.
He said the plan includes the strategic positioning and efficient distribution of basic food commodities, including the monitoring of suggested retail prices of the same in public markets in Metro Manila.
Other than rice, the other basic food items include pork, chicken, eggs, other poultry products, fish, vegetables, fruits, sugar, cooking oil, and other coconut by-products.
The food resiliency action plan will be further expanded and updated in partnership with the private industry, local government units, and farmers’ and fishers’ groups.
Dar said this is also an opportune time for Metro Manilans to consider engaging in food production via urban gardening or aquaculture in their respective backyards, verandas, rooftops, and designated areas in the barangay, school or community. – DA release