To address the price hike of commercial rice in Zamboanga markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) staged a three-day TienDA Farmers’ and Fishefolk Outlet from August 25 to August 27, 2018 at the covered court of the Bureau of Plant Industry compound in Corcuera Extension, Zamboanga City.

The TienDA featured commercial rice at P32 per kilogram (kg), NFA rice at P27/kg, organic rice at P49/kg, and white corn grits at P29/kg.

In his message, Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol declared that the “rice crisis in Zamboanga City is finally over” following the arrival of 180,000 bags of rice from the National Food Authority.

“This event is a good example of the ‘Bayanihan’, as we see everyone extending help in times of crisis like this,”he said.

In line with the orders of the Secretary, Zamboanga Sibugay and some provinces of Region 12 will be selling their rice produce to Zamboanga City.

Piñol is optimistic that prices will soon stabilize, as nearby provinces will start harvesting soon.

“Mataas ang presyo ng bigas dahil ito pa iyong mga bigas na nabili ng mga traders at very high rate pero sa pagpasok ng mga bigas from Zamboanga Sibugay and other sources mag-stabilize na rin,” Piñol said.

Other products that were sold during TienDA are marang (P30/ piece), mangosteen (P120/ bundle), grated cassava (P75/pack), vegetables (sold from P30 to P100/ kilo), and fresh dressed chicken (P155/kl), among others.

To maintain the supply of rice in Zamboanga, Sec. Piñol also urged local officials to identify at least 1,000 hectares per to be used as demonstration farm abd learning center of DA. He added that the area will be irrigated thru a solar-powered irrigation system.

The LGUs of Zamboanga also submitted a resolution addressed to the president directing NFA council to approve the import allocation of about 130,000 metric tons to Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, and for the establishment of a rice trading center in Tawi-Tawi or Sulu. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)