NFA: Enough rice supply in Kalinga after typhoon

By Dexter A. See

TABUK, Kalinga – The National Food Authority here assured the public of enough rice supply for the province even after the recent onslaught of Typhoon Juan which heavily damaged vast tracks of rice fields.

Assistant NFA manager Enrique Baliyang said they have 80,000 bags of rice for disposal in their warehouses and another 30,000 sacks of rice to be delivered in the province in the next weeks.

“Typhoon Juan has no effect on our rice supply. Our stock is adequate to supply the province in the lean months of this year,” he said.

He said their warehouse incurred minimal damage with 52 skylights, parts of the warehouse roof, and dryer house door needing repair.

“We are on the process of segregating damaged rice to ensure that the rice distributed are in good quality, their classification still on standard level, and free from contamination,” Baliyang said.

He added rice stocks were also insured with the Government Service Insurance System.
Baliyang said 650 bags of rice were released after typhoon Juan.

He said the Pinukpuk town government got 300 bags, Rizal – 150, Red Cross – 100, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development – 100 cavans.

Kalinga has been described as the rice granary of the Cordillera because of vast tracks of agricultural lands that produce various types of rice.

After the damage caused by the recent typhoon to the province’s rice supply in the future, the provincial and municipal governments have come out with measures for thousands of farmers to recover from damage to their crops.

One major rice variety being produced in the province is the “tinawon” which is being exported to the United States and other European markets since it commands a higher price due to its aroma and good taste.