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Rice supply enough for coming months: Philippine president

Xinhua, October 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Philippine President Aquino assured the public Tuesday that there would be sufficient supply of rice despite the recent devastation from typhoon Koppu (Local name: Lando) and the anticipated more severe onslaught of the El Nino.

The president, during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Forum held at the Solaire Resort and Casino, said government had initially approved the 500,000 metric tons of rice importation and it is now considering increasing the amount after several agricultural lands in Northern and Central Luzon had been flooded and damaged following Koppu.

Aquino said the initially approved importation was to cushion the impact of the El Nino on the rice supply.

He said the flooding caused by Koppu made the problem more severe.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had warned the severe El Nino would lead to a drought that would be felt by at least 79 provinces that could last up to the early part of 2016.

PAGASA said drought is defined as three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition or 60 percent reduction from average rainfall. Endit