Government is adopting measures to avert a food shortage in Western Visayas brought on by the typhoon Frank devastation, Raul Banias, presidential adviser for Western Visayas, said yesterday.

Typhoon Frank hit 22,000 hectares of rice lands in Panay and caused close to P.5 billion in damage to the commercial fishing industry of Cadiz City that will affect the rice and fish supply of the region, he told the DAILY STAR.

However, he said the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies are moving to mitigate the problem.

The National Food Authority has assured of adequate NFA rice for the region, while government may bring in fish supply to address the needs of Western Visayas if necessary, he said.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who was in Iloilo Friday, last night told the DAILY STAR “there is no shortage of food”. 

The NFA,  the  commercial sector and households have rice stocks, he said.

 He said the government will seize stocks and file charges against retailers found unduly jacking up their prices in the aftermath of typhoon Frank.

“The government will not hesitate to invoke the provision of Republic Act 7581 on the filing of cases of profiteering against retailers who are profiteering from commodity prices and with their food products seized under summary proceedings,” Yap said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to go on an aerial inspection of Panay areas devastated by typhoon Frank  tomorrow, before presiding over the regular Cabinet meeting to be held in Iloilo City, to discuss the ongoing rehabilitation and relief efforts, Banias said.*CPG

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