MANILA -- The country has ample supply of rice amid the ongoing El Niño phenomenon that is affecting the local production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured on Saturday.

In a news forum, DA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said there is “a healthy stock and inventory” of rice for this year with rice imports complementing local production.

De Mesa said the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has reported the country received more than 600,000 metric tons of imported rice for the first two months of 2024.

“On an average that’s about 300,000 metric tons which is at par doon sa expected natin na 300,000 metric tons per month na darating na bigas na imported. Iyong ating production last year na 20.06 million metric tons plus itong ating mga imports, and we are expecting na magpi-peak iyong harvest natin ng palay nagsisimula na ngayon by March and April,” he said.

“So, in terms of supply wala po tayong problema we have a very healthy stocks and inventory of rice para po ngayong taon na ito,” he added.

De Mesa added the DA continues to monitor the damages and effects of El Niño across the country. (PND)