DA looking for other sources of vegetables after Maring damaged crops

FARM PARTNERS Reynold Trinidad of Barangay Kita-Kita, Balungao, Pangasinan province, moves one of his cows to safety, wading through a flooded rice field that recently suffered damages from Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” (Kompasu). INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD BALONGLONG

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking for ways to supply Metro Manila with vegetables after Severe Tropical Storm Maring damaged crops leading to an increase in food prices.

“Nakita natin ang paggalaw ng [presyo] ng gulay dahil ito nga rin ay epekto nung nasalantang mga produce natin. Definitely, ‘pag nabawasan po ang yield dahil natamaan ng bagyo, tataas po ang price points ng ating mga gulay dahil ‘yung logistical cost, ganun pa rin po and yet mas kaunti na po ang nadadala sa merkado,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista explained during the Laging Handa briefing.

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(We saw the

changes in the price of vegetables

as it is the effect of our damaged produce. Definitely, if the yield is slashed because of the tropical storm, price points will increase since the logistical cost is still the same yet the products brought in the market are few.)

“…However, mayroon po tayong ibang mga sources po katulad ng Region 3 na pwede nating pag-angkatan, pangdagdag po sa gulay na pangangailangan dito sa Metro Manila,” she added.

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(However, we have other sources like Region 3 where we could import for additional vegetable supply in Metro Manila.)

Evangelista said that those who are sourcing their produce in Cagayan Valley, which is among those badly affected by Maring, may tap other regions to stabilize prices.

“‘Yung dati pong galing sa Region 2 per se, maghanap po ng iba pang mga lugar na nagtatanim din po ng mga lowland vegetables para po mapunuan ang pangangailangang gulay dito sa Metro Manila,” Evangelista advised.

(Those sourcing from Region 2 per se, should find other areas, which plant lowland vegetables to augment the supply.)

“Basically, we are augmenting from different regions po to make sure na hindi masyadong magalaw ang presyo ng gulay para na rin po sa ating mga konsyumers dito (prices will not move for our consumers),” she went on.

As of October 15, Tropical Storm Maring left P1.2 billion damage and losses in agriculture, affecting a total of 42,787 farmers and fisherfolk.

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