The Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified its monitoring of the possible effects of Typhoon Opong on agricultural products.
In an interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the typhoon may have caused wider damage compared to previous weather disturbances.
He added that the department is closely assessing the situation and has already issued advisories urging farmers to harvest their mature crops ahead of the storm to prevent further losses.
Despite the threat, De Mesa assured that rice prices are not expected to surge. He explained that there is sufficient supply from first-semester harvests, ample rice imports prior to the 60-day import ban, and ongoing harvests from the wet season.
According to him, rice is not their primary concern at the moment.
What needs closer attention, he said, are vegetables that may have been severely affected by Typhoon Opong.
