Philippines have enough rice for this year

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap assured that the country has enough
supply of rice to feed the entire population for the rest of the year.

Yap said side from the stocks stored in 500 National Food Authority
(NFA) warehouses all over the country, rice harvests in the Visayas and
Mindanao, which were not directly hit by the recent typhoons, will
augment the inventory.

He also said supplies stocked by retailers, supermarkets, and dry
markets could also be a great help.

"All in all, we are looking at about 140 days' worth of stocks," he said
alleviating fears that rice inventory may not be sufficient.

Yap said they have started importing rice but it is expected to arrive
in the country in January to March next year.

Yap earlier ordered to increase rice supplies in areas affected by the
back-to-back typhoons particularly Metro Manila, Ilocos and Cagayan
Valley regions.