DILG chief: Enough rice supply for quake-hit provinces

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local government Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday asked residents of earthquake-ravaged Bohol to avoid panic-buying and hoarding as he assures that the government has enough supply of rice and other basic commodities.

Roxas said that the government is exerting efforts not just in relief operations, but also in restoring services and rebuilding properties.

In a press conference in Tagbilaran City, a day after a 7.2-magnitude temblor hit Bohol, Roxas said the National Food Authority has assured them that there is a two-week rice inventory at the warehouse and enough supply of other basic food items.

“Tuluy-tuloy lang po ang pasok ng supply dito. Huwag po tayong maniwala sa panic buying,” he said.

He also called on commercial establishments to resume operations and avoid hoarding.

“Huwag po tayong mag-hoard dahil sapat naman ang supply ng mga pagkain, bigas, de lata, isda. Chi-neck din natin yung sa krudo, diesel, kerosese at gasolina. Marami din pong supply, maayos ang mga depot at hindi naapektuhan,” Roxas said.

Roxas had directed the Philippine National Police to mobilize all its personnel in Central Visayas to extend assistance to all local government units affected by the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol and wrought havoc in Cebu and other provinces in the Visayas on Tuesday.

Roxas said that a team of structural engineers has arrived in the province to assess the damage to public buildings.

“Yan yung priority – public buildings, hospitals, yung mga government offices, yung mga pinupuntahan ng mga tao, evacuation centers, paaralan para masiguro natin yung kaligtasan ng mga gusaling ito. Tuloy tuloy naman ang trabaho dun sa mga tulay, sa mga kalye at iba pang imprastraktura,” he said.

The interior secretary, meanwhile, clarified that not a single town in Bohol province has been isolated due to damaged bridges and landslides following the powerful earthquake.

Roxas added that major airlines, including the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, that they would continue flights going to and from Bohol.

“Tuloy tuloy pa rin po ang pagpasok ng mga turista sa kabila nang nangyari. In fact, inatasan na  nang Pangulo ang Malacanang Communications Office na tumulong sa provincial  Tourism Board Council  para maparating sa lahat na tuloy tuloypa rin ang turismo dito at huwag magkansela ng bakasyon at okasyon na gaganapin dito sa Bohol,” he said.