The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured that the country has sufficient rice supply despite the devastation caused by storms Kristine and Leon.

“Sa NFA (National Food Authority) mayroon po tayong sapat na rice supply sa ngayon,” DA-Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (DA-DRRM) Director Lorna Calda said in a Special Report interview on Thursday.

Rice supply is one of the major concerns being closely monitored by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during typhoons.

Calda, meanwhile, said the government is also ready to assist those affected by Leon.

“Also for those na naapektuhan ng Typhoon Kristine and also itong maaapektuhan ng Typhoon Leon, mayroon po tayong QRF na 1 billion na puwede po nating gamitin sa pagbili ng production inputs at the same time mayroon din po tayong SURE (Survival and Recovery) loan [na] P25,000 na puwedeng i-loan ng ating mga magsasaka o mangingisda na three years to pay with zero interest,” she said.

She said damage and losses caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine are now at P3.76 billion. The figure is  expected to increase as some areas remain inundated and isolated.

Calda said the DA is closely monitoring the prices of food amid the weather disturbances. She said a price freeze is automatically enforced in areas under state of calamity.

“Para po sa ating mga apektadong magsasaka at mangingisda, nandito po ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka.  Handa pong tumulong sa inyo at pagtulung-tulungan po nating makaahon dito sa sakunang dumating na ito,” she said. | PND