CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao has assured the public of sufficient food supply in the region despite rising prices driven by higher transport costs

DA Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan said rice and other key commodities remain adequate to meet local demand in the coming months, citing ongoing harvests and buffer stocks.

“In Northern Mindanao, by April, we have around 14,700 hectares that will be harvested; that is equivalent to 25 days’ supply of rice,” Pacamalan said during the Kapihan sa PIA on March 30 in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said more harvests are expected in the coming months, particularly in Bukidnon, which will further sustain rice availability in the region.

“In March, we imported around 2,700 metric tons of rice, which is equivalent to two months’ supply of rice. So, we have enough for the next three to four months. By the time we consume it, we have another 25,000 hectares that will be harvested in Bukidnon and Northern Mindanao,” he said. “So rice alone, we have enough supply.”

Pacamalan said Northern Mindanao also has a sufficient supply of other staple and substitute food sources, including white corn, root crops such as sweet potato, and widely consumed products such as bananas.

He said the region is a net exporter of vegetables, producing more than enough for local consumption.

“So we only consume 30% of our vegetable supplies. Seventy percent goes to Region 9, to Region 13, and the rest to Cebu and Bohol,” Pacamalan said.

He added that the region also has an adequate supply of livestock products, including pork, eggs, and beef.

Despite a stable supply, Pacamalan acknowledged that prices of some commodities have increased by 10% to 20% due to higher transport costs.

“For example, to bring rice from Bukidnon to Misamis Oriental, it’s only around 50 pesos per sack. Now it has become 100 to 150 pesos per sack,” he said.

He said the increase in logistics costs, driven by higher fuel prices, has contributed to rising market prices of goods.

Still, Pacamalan assured the public that overall food availability in Northern Mindanao remains sufficient. “Right now, in terms of supply, we have enough supply of basic commodities, livestock, vegetables, and rice in Northern Mindanao,” he said. (RND/PIA-10)