Mindanao regions to supply food to Ompong-hit provinces

Four regions in Mindanao are being tapped to supply food products to areas in Luzon affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

According to Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, the four regions—the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, the Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN—will deliver various agricultural items where needed. "[They] are on standby actually to supply typhoon-hit areas with basic food commodities that they need in case magkaroon ng shortage," he said.

Fish and fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits will be supplied depending on abundance of supply in the various regions. "Sa Region 9 [Zamboanga Peninsula] naka ready 'yung mga isda. Sa Region X [Northern Mindanao] naka ready 'yung mga gulay. Sa Region XI [Davao Region] and XII [SOCCSKSARGEN] naka ready 'yung mga prutas at iba pang mga food items."

Piñol said that the rice supply in Cagayan Valley will remain steady, despite some crops' being damaged by to typhoon. The warehouses in Isabela and Cagayan are well-stocked, he said.

"Wala naman problem sa rice supply 'yun Cagayan Valley. Even granting na magkakaroon ng problema in transporting goods from other parts of Luzon to Cagayan Valley, rice will never be a problem for Cagayan Valley Region kasi sila ang ating source ng ating bigas sa Metro Manila," he said.

Meanwhile, reports of scarcity of highlands vegetables such as cabbage and pechay baguio are expected, said Piñol, adding that other areas in the Philippines can help fill in the supply. "That's a natural expected result of the typhoon. Talagang masisira 'yung gulay natin but just in case na talagang urgently needed we could always bring in goods from other part of the country," he said. — BM, GMA News