RICE FOR REFUGEES. The government is sending more rice and other food items to Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan for returning Filipinos and refugees from Sabah. Photo by AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The government will ship rice and other food items to Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan where Filipinos affected by the standoff in Sabah have taken refuge.

In a statement on Monday, March 11, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said this would “ensure steady supply… to prevent shortage and undue increase in prices.”

Alcala said the National Food Authority (NFA) would continue delivering rice in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and respective local governments units.

He added DA regional directors in Mindanao would send sacks of cassava, a staple in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

The NFA will send 180 to 250 bags of rice, two to 3 times a week, to Sulu. The NFA regional office in Davao will ship an additional of 50,000 bags to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Other NFA regional offices, particularly in Metro Manila and Region 6 (Western Visayas), will send rice to Zamboanga for delivery to the 3 provinces.

In a report to Alcala, NFA Administrator Orlan Calayag said as of March 9, the agency has delivered 2,200 bags of rice weighing 50 kilos each. The breakdown is as follows:

• Tawi-Tawi - 1,000 bags
• Sulu - 1,000 bags
• Zamboanga City - 200 bags

Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed the country’s total rice stock inventory stood at 2.02 million metric tons as of February 1, 19.9% lower than the previous month’s 2.52 million MT. – Rappler.com