MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he does not expect Tropical Cyclone Tino’s impact on the Visayas and parts of Mindanao to disrupt the country’s rice supply but warned that corn production may suffer significant losses.

“We’re not too worried about rice since the harvest is almost complete in major producing provinces and most of the affected regions are not major producing areas,” Tiu Laurel said. “But we may have an issue with corn because about 33,000 hectares of cornfields were affected by Tino.”

Tiu Laurel has directed all regional field offices to conduct rapid damage assessments and prepare for a potentially stronger typhoon that could hit Northern Luzon over the weekend.

To support recovery efforts, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will distribute ₱255 million worth of farm inputs—including rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, fingerlings, and biologics—to affected farmers and fisherfolk.

Fishers impacted by Tino may also receive assistance to repair fishing gear and boats, as well as fuel assistance, he said.

The agriculture chief also ordered the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to expedite the processing of insurance claims for affected farmers. Meanwhile, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) is ready to extend loans of up to ₱25,000 under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program to help producers rebuild quickly.

To ensure food availability, the National Food Authority (NFA) has prepared 2.6 million bags of rice for distribution to local government units and relief agencies. Additional rice will also be sold through Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets offering ₱20-per-kilo rice and other affordable goods.

“We have enough rice stocks at the NFA to cover our needs,” Tiu Laurel assured, emphasizing that the government remains on alert to safeguard food supply chains amid a more active typhoon season.