Philippines records highest rice production rate

DESPITE the typhoons that hit the country, Agriculture Secretary William Dar disclosed the country continue to experience high yield in rice.

Dar, during the launching of the cash and food subsidy program with the farmers and fishermen of Benguet announced the country harvested 19.44 metric tons of rice for 2020.

“We are setting a record harvest in terms of rice, there is a record harvest of rice at the level of 19.44 million metric tons this year, 2020. Ito na ang pinakamalaki na harvest compared to previous years. This is what we want to happen, setting the record so that every step of the way ay ito iyong palagi natin gagawin, pataasin ang masaganang ani para mas mataas rin ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” Dar said.

Dar explained the rice production rate increased by three percent

Central Luzon remains the biggest rice producer of the country, followed by Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Visayas, Region 12, and Region 10.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region, the top rice producers are Kalinga and Apayao province.

The agriculture official added they want to increase the local food production in the country.

Dar added for rice, the country can only produce 90% of rice requirement with the 10% coming from other countries.

For corn, the country can only produce 70% of what it needs while the 30% are imported.

“We have to really level up the food production efforts. So that in due time we are able to produce 100 percent,” Dar said.

to Salary Grade 15 pursuant to budget circulars; full provision for mandatory appropriations for the 5 percent city disaster risk reduction and management fund and the 20 percent development fund; imposition of budget cuts on maintenance and other operating expenses by 11 percent across all departments but the same will not compromise responsive and prompt delivery of basic services; the identification of priorities under the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) that support the present administration’s 16- point core agenda and the department budgets proposed are guided by prudence and aligned with the city’s development goals with bias to respond to the Coronavirus disease (Covid – 19) and similar occurrences.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated the 2021 proposed annual budget is 15.54% lower than this year’s P2.255 billion budget which is inevitable, although it might be a temporary setback.

The highlights of next year’s proposed budget include full provision of the statutory obligations for the second tranches of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) II, including the upgrading of the entry level of nurse positions to Salary Grade 15 pursuant to budget circulars; full provision for mandatory appropriations for the 5 percent city disaster risk reduction and management fund and the 20 percent development fund; imposition of budget cuts on maintenance and other operating expenses by 11 percent across all departments but the same will not compromise responsive and prompt delivery of basic services; the identification of priorities under the Annual Investment Plan ( AIP) that support the present administration’s 16- point core agenda and the department budgets proposed are guided by prudence and aligned with the city’s development goals with bias to respond to the Covid – 19 and similar occurrences. guio