DA chief conducts aerial survey of rice-producing provinces

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap conducted Sunday an aerial inspection of major rice-producing provinces in Luzon to check on the country's rice supply. Yap inspected Nueva Ecija province in Central Luzon, the province considered to be the country's rice granary. He also inspected Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela in northeastern Luzon. He said his inspection showed the rice-producing provinces to be "gold," indicating the rice is ready for harvest. This should also belie persistent speculation of a rice shortage, he added. The government has taken steps to head off a possible rice crisis, as officials admitted it would be the price of rice and not supply that could be the problem. Earlier, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said he expects charges to be filed soon against erring owners of warehouses accredited by the National Food Authority (NFA). National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) teams had been sent to NFA-accredited warehouses to check against profiteering and hoarding. - GMANews.TV