No need to import rice despite onslaught of typhoon Juan, says Aquino

by | Oct 23, 2010 | Headlines, National News

President Benigno S. Aquino III said there is no need to import rice this year despite the
recent onslaught of super typhoon Juan.

The President made the announcement during a press conference at the Cauayan airport
after assessing the typhoon damage and spearheading the relief distribution in Barangay
Baligatan in Ilagan, Isabela Thursday morning.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters that damage to rice crops in Isabela, the
second biggest rice producer in Luzon, was minimal as farmers were able to harvest early in
anticipation of Typhoon Juan.

Alcala said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will immediately distribute planting materials
with short gestation period to enable farmers to catch up with the next planting season.

Earlier, the National Food Authority (NFA) said the rice shortfall due to the typhoon in
northern Luzon is manageable and the country still has a rice buffer stock good for 52 days
which is more than the grains agency’s mandate of keeping a 30-day supply of rice.

“So, at this point in time we are not contemplating on any importation,” the President said.

(PCOO)

Comelec suspends barangay, SK polls in 3 Isabela towns

by | Oct 23, 2010 | Headlines, National News, Weather Coverage

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has postponed the Oct. 25 barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan elections in three Isabela towns severely hit by super typhoon Juan.

The polls in the coastal municipalities of Divilacan, Palanan, and Maconacon will be
rescheduled to next month, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said after his meeting with the
NDRRMC in Camp Aguinaldo.

Melo did not give a specific date, but said the elections in the three towns would likely be
done within 15 days after the nationwide polls on October 25. Under the law, the poll body is
given 30 days to hold special elections in cases of failure or suspension of polls.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) gave the Comelec a
briefing Wednesday on the aftermath of typhoon Juan in Northern Luzon, particularly Ilocos
region, Cagayan Valley region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Based on the NDRRMC’s report, Isabela is the most badly hit province in the region. (PIA)