00:00 Meanwhile, the number of Filipinos who experienced starvation is still decreasing in the third quarter of the year.
00:06 The government is also trying to push forward measures to achieve the expected food security and stable prices of goods.
00:16 This is also in front of the eyes of the El Nino.
00:18 The latest news is brought to you by Melanies Moras Live.
00:24 To fight starvation in the country, the government is trying to strengthen food sufficiency in the Philippines
00:34 and also to address the challenges in agriculture like the El Nino.
00:39 Based on the latest survey of social weather stations,
00:44 the hunger rate of Filipinos who experienced starvation in the country has decreased.
00:50 If in June 2023, the hunger figure in the Philippines was 10.4 percent,
00:56 in September, it decreased to 9.8 percent.
01:00 This means that they experienced starvation in front of the government in different ways.
01:08 The Department of Agriculture first cried in front of the young people here in Camara
01:13 that they continue to strengthen food sufficiency in the country, especially in rice.
01:18 Aside from the supply, they are also tightening the prices to ensure that it can reach the Filipino people.
01:25 Mr. Chair, for well-milled, we are expecting P48.
01:31 For regular, we are expecting P41 to P43 per kilogram.
01:38 So, contrary to the report that the farm gate is increasing, we should expect, coming from a farmer group
01:48 that there is information that the farm gate is increasing, we are supposed to expect higher prices.
01:54 We just would like to inform this honorable body, Mr. Chair, that as of today, more than 95 percent were already harvested
02:03 and the majority of these harvests were bought on average of between P20 to P23 per kilogram,
02:12 which is much lower than the...
02:14 What is left now is mostly...
02:17 which is a natural phenomenon that if the harvest is small, the traders are already stealing.
02:23 A while ago, the House Committee on Climate Change held a separate hearing
02:30 to determine the effective government's response to the effects of the typhoon, especially in the agriculture sector.
02:38 Currently, El Nino is, as I said, strong with that peaking towards the last quarter of 2023
02:53 and towards the first quarter of 2024.
02:57 That's a peak.
02:58 So, currently, our typhoons, tropical cyclones, we have only 10 and we expect one to two towards the end of the year.
03:06 So, at the maximum, maybe we have 12 tropical cyclones this year.
03:10 So, there is a reduction.
03:12 So, most of the water that we harvest is basically the presence of tropical cyclones.
03:19 So, if we have reduction of tropical cyclones, that's the reason why we also have less reduction of rainfall.
03:27 And that's the early impacts of the El Nino.
03:32 The commodities usually impacted by the El Nino is rice and corn.
03:36 But, of course, the other high-value crops, as well as the livestock and fisheries, are impacted.
03:41 But based on our analysis or our accounting, rice and corn are the most impacted commodity during El Nino.
03:49 So, location-specific as well as proper water management is what we need to give a message.
03:58 What we emphasize here, that's why as long as there is available water,
04:06 we have sources of water for our plants or livestock.
04:12 Angelique, what the youth are saying, despite the various challenges now,
04:18 it is important to address the issues that are close to the hearts of our countrymen.
04:23 This is hunger and food sufficiency.
04:26 So, as much as possible, they will continue to address this
04:29 so that the government's shoulders can be strengthened and the situation can be addressed.
04:35 Angelique?
04:36 Okay, Mela, in the latest report of the youth,
04:39 what will be the effect on the food supply of El Nino?
04:43 Because that means less water, less typhoons, less water.
04:47 How about the products or our crops that really depend on water?
04:54 Angelique, the good news from the Department of Agriculture,
05:01 until the end of the year or until the first quarter of 2024,
05:06 the supply and price of food, fruits, vegetables, and especially rice is sufficient and stable.
05:14 But Angelique, because they expect that the effects of El Nino will eventually be there in the country,
05:20 they are trying to stop it and prevent it from being permissible for our countrymen.
05:28 That's why the DA is saying that they should continue their information drive
05:33 so that if there are effects that are expected,
05:36 it can be anticipated by our farmers, consumers, and other sectors so that they can be prepared.
05:43 But Angelique, for now, the authorities are calling for our countrymen
05:49 so that they don't have to worry because the government's steps are still ongoing.
05:54 Angelique?
05:55 Okay. More having Salamatio Mella less Morris.
