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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Gov't readies food aid, expedites imports amid El Niño

Gov't readies food aid, expedites imports amid El Niño

Published Dec 15, 2023 05:02 am

At A Glance

  • The government may boost the deployment of food stamps and advance the importing of commodities expected to be in shortage amid the persisting El Niño.<br>The socioeconomic planning body chief said it may advise the government agencies on the interventions to mitigate the effects of El Niño. <br>A Task Force on El Niño has been also created to consolidate various efforts of agencies in mitigating the adverse effects on water, power, health, and public safety. 

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the government plans to ramp up the distribution of food stamps and expedite the importation of key commodities to prepare for the potential impact of El Niño.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said they will team up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to hasten the distribution of food assistance, and collaborate with the Department of Agriculture for the importation of some food items.

"[So] that when the time comes and a real shortage occurs,  we have enough to in storage to release," Balisacan said.

The El Niño phenomenon is seen to last until the second quarter of next year and may hit over 65 provinces.

Balisacan also shared that the government created a Task Force on El Niño to consolidate various efforts of agencies in mitigating the adverse effects on water, power, health, and public safety.

He also announced that the current administration extended the temporary reduction of tariffs on key agricultural products such as pork, corn, and rice. It is supposed to expire on Dec. 31.

The NEDA chief earlier tempered the economic growth to 6.5 percent as the El Niño, global conflicts, and high-interest rates may impact the economy next year.

For the first three quarters, the gross domestic product averaged 5.5 percent. The country would need to attain 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter to achieve the lower end of the six percent to seven percent target.
 

Related Tags

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) El Niño
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