DAMAGES on agriculture caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Northern Mindanao and Visayas are still under assessment, said Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Proceso Alcala. Alcala said that the harvest season in Visayas is supposed to be until December, but it was halted by Yolanda’s onslaught. He added that the DA is still waiting for the final tally on the damages on agriculture due to the storm. October this year, Typhoon ‘Santi’ (international name: Nari) caused damage worth P2.9 billion to the rice-producing region of Central Luzon, according to BusinessWorldOnline. In an article posted in Manilastandardtoday.com, economist and a senior research fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies Roehlano Briones said, the "Aquino administration should adopt a more open policy toward rice importation.” Briones said the damage of typhoon Santi on rice production makes the adaptation of an open policy on rice importation makes it necessary. "Importing more rice will bring the price of the grain closer to the world prices,” said Briones.
