Metro Manila Has Enough Food Supply During Quarantine, Says Agri Chief
METRO MANILA – Agri chief Willam Dar said Metro Manila has enough food supply during coronavirus lockdown.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has placed Metro Manila under “community quarantine” for one month to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The lockdown will start on Sunday, March 15 until April 14.
During the lockdown, travel in and out of the capital will be restricted. The classes and work in executive branches were also suspended. The president encourages private companies to adopt “work from home.”
Based on a report from ABS-CBN News, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Metro Manila has enough food supply. The city’s basic commodities could last one month. He said the region’s rice inventory could last for 9 months.
Dar said the April harvest season will add National Food Authority’s current inventory. He said the capital needs at least 26,241 metric tons of rice per week.
“The Department of Agriculture assures all Filipino families that there is enough food for everyone,” he said.
According to the report, the Agri Chief also said the root crops and vegetables from Benguet, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera, estimated at 17,000 metric tons “are more than enough to meet the 5K metric tons weekly demand.
Willam Dar said some 42.5M pieces of eggs will be delivered to Metro Manila every week. It is more than the 25M demand.
“Again, reiterating our call to the public, don’t hoard too much food. There is enough food supply that you can buy during this time of health emergency,” he said.
Based on the report, the Department of Agriculture will also issue a “food resiliency action plan.” It helps them identify the basic needs of all areas. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez urged the public not to go panic-buying and report anyone who’s hoarding basic goods amid coronavirus pandemic.
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