Romblon, Philippines

In an apparent bid for rice self sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has embarked on the massive production of new seeds developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and on a more aggressive buying of palay from local farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap issued these directives in support of the government’s target of providing Filipinos with sufficient volumes of rice within three years’ time without having to depend on costly importations.

Yap explained that the DA would focus on the massive production and propagation of new seed varieties that are higher-yielding, more adaptable to adverse weather conditions like drought and flooding, and more resistant to pests and plant diseases.

He said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself directed him to focus on mass producing and spreading the use of these seeds after IRRI Director-General Robert Ziegler briefed her on the latest breakthroughs in seed technology during her recent visit to the IRRI headquarters in Laguna. By Amy R. Remo

INQUIRER.net

The price of cooking gas will increase by as much as P2 per kilogram starting Wednesday, the LPG Marketers’ Association announced Monday.

The price hike in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) follows increases in prices of basic commodities and electricity rates of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), which the Consumer Oil Price Watch said should be more transparent on how adjustments are made.

Plus, transport groups are threatening to mount another strike, as they called on government to do more about the surging prices of oil in the world market. (See related front-page story.)

The latest price increase in cooking gas was reportedly caused by high contract rates of LPG in the world market, said Arnel Ty, president of the Marketers’ Association.

The contract price of LPG rose by $30 per metric ton in the world market, he said. Local cooking gas producers may be adjusting their prices to make it at par with crude oil rates abroad, he added.

An 11-kilogram tank, which is what most households use, now retails from P535 to P540 and is likely to go up from P557 to P562. –James Konstantin Galvez And Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo

Manila Times

A National Food Authority (NFA) official today clarified that the Philippine’s total available rice supply is near two million metric tons. At a daily consumption rate of 33,000 metric tons, the supply is good for 58 more days.

NFA deputy administrator Lodovico Jarina made the presentation before the House committee on agriculture and food. NFA rice has available stocks good for 14 days, but that is assuming that all Filipinos eat NFA rice. More supply of NFA rice is still arriving, he said.

On average, NFA rice only accounts for 20 percent of the country’s total rice supply. The bulk comes from the commercial and household stock, which are good for 44 more days.

The country’s rice supply is “comfortable,” former agriculture secretary and now Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero said. He admonished politicians who “speculate on prices.” Escudero had said that the ideal supply should be good for 70 days. By Carmela Fonbuena

abs-cbn NEWS.com

The looming rice crisis may worsen the incidence of malnutrition in the country, particularly in pregnant mothers and newborn babies, a top official of the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, DOH director of disease and prevention control, said lack of rice might expose people to risk of malnutrition, a disease that has been prevalent among the children, pregnant women and newborn babies in the urban poor areas.

“Rice, which is the staple food of Filipinos, is a rich source of carbohydrates. Without it, the problem of malnutrition may worsen,” she said.

She said that aside from malnutrition, micro nutrient deficiency that triggers the so-called hidden hunger might also complicate the health condition of malnourished children, which is now the focus of concern of the government.

Oliveros said DOH is taking steps to help the people cope with the possible outbreak of disease associated with the looming shortage of rice.

She added the DOH, through its national Food Nutrition Program, is coordinating with makers of concentrated food products such as noodles to fortify it with necessary vitamins to combat hidden hunger disease.

Hidden hunger is a disease triggered by micro nutrient deficiency and may lead to other diseases such as lung and heart ailments.

Aside from malnutrition and hidden hunger disease, the DOH has launched a renewed campaign against dengue, which has become a year-round illness that threatens residents in Metro Manila and other urbanized centers in the country. By Perseus Echeminada  With Helen Flores

PhilStar 

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s total population has ballooned to 88.57 million, 16 percent bigger than it was seven years ago, the government said on Wednesday.

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