President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed concerned government agencies to help farmers displaced by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, and ensure adequate supply of goods in the coming months, a Malacañang press release said.

Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez said initial damages to the farm sector have reached P5.5 billion.

“It is still rising because we have yet to receive reports from different regions,” he said in the press release.

Golez said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has assured the cabinet and the public that there is enough stock of agriculture products for the whole year.

However, he added that the effect of typhoons in agriculture stocks can be felt by the first half of next year.

Golez stressed that Yap will import rice the earliest possible time to meet the demand of Filipino consumers next year.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila, he said, has assured the public that there is no problem in the manufacturing of goods being sold in the supermarkets and groceries.

“The setback is in the distribution. He already requested the private sector if they can lend delivery vans to ensure continuous supply in all supermarkets and stores. We would like to assure the public that there is no shortage in the supply of goods,” Golez said.

The President has also directed Favila to take measures to punish profiteers who take advantage of the crisis.

Those who will be caught profiteering will be meted the maximum penalty of P2 million and 15 years of imprisonment.

Golez asked the media to help the government monitor prices of goods being sold in the markets. The Department of Trade and Industry has already published in the newspapers the ceiling prices for basic commodities, the Malacañang press release also said.*

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