DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the ceremonial distribution of 100,000 bags of rice donated by South Korea to families affected by Tropical Storm (TS) Kristine.
The rice was distributed in Laurel, Batangas to affected people from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol, DA said in a statement yesterday
The agency added the rice donation totaling 4,000 metric tons (MT) is part of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve’s (APTERR) Tier 3 program.
DA said the Philippines is represented by the National Food Authority in the APTERR, a regional cooperation scheme aimed to strengthen food security and reduce poverty within the 10-member ASEAN bloc in cooperation with China, Japan, and South Korea.
APTERR also addresses the immediate threats to food security in the region, especially those caused by both natural and artificial disasters, market volatility and calamities, among others.
“I am privileged to witness the critical roles played by various government agencies and international organizations to ensure the smooth arrival of the 4,000 MT, equivalent to 100,000 bags of rice, donated by the government of Korea,” Laurel said in the statement.
He added that South Korea’s food donation will significantly support the Philippines’ recovery and rehabilitation efforts especially since Laurel, Batangas was one of the hardest-hit areas by TS Kristine.
Laurel also said the donation from South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is crucial as rice prices are currently high.
“Given the high food prices, this gift of rice from the government of Korea is most certainly welcome and provides timely assistance to the Philippine government in its efforts to aid calamity-affected provinces,” he said.
DA recently said the total value of damage recorded in the agriculture sector last year was P57.78 billion, equivalent to a volume loss of 2,178,836 MT from 1,407,893 farmers and fisherfolk.
The agency said the bulk of losses was due to El Niño at P15.66 billion, followed by the combined effects of tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon at P13.47 billion, as well as P9.89 billion from the combined effects of tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel and Pepito.