The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured Wednesday there is no price increase for vegetables in Metro Manila, despite the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Florita.

At a Palace press briefing, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said they are continuously conducting an assessment to identify the cost of agricultural damage, as well as monitor local supplies in Ilocos Norte.

“Ilocos Norte is not Metro Manila’s only source since we are looking at only 220 metric tons, of which only 2 metric tons are vegetables. The rest is basically rice. So we do not expect the prices of vegetables here in Metro Manila to move due to storm and its effects in Ilocos Norte at this point,” she said.

Initial data showed that agricultural damage and losses in Ilocos Norte have already reached PHP3.01 million, affecting around 310 farmers.

Evangelista said DA interventions are already in place and mobile Kadiwa stores are on standby in the region in case of need.

“We have biologics for our affected livestock raisers. We also have rice, corn, and vegetable seeds for farmers needing aid,” she said.

The DA also has a quick response fund (QRF) which will be managed by the regional offices for distribution.

As of Wednesday, around 628 hectares of land area in the Ilocos Norte have been affected, the majority of which are rice lands, with PHP2.93 million worth of losses, while damage to high-value crops was pegged at PHP81,000. (PNA)