Climate-resilient warehouse in Leyte to ensure rice supply

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) will start building this month a new climate-resilient warehouse in Leyte to ensure rice supply in the typhoon-prone province.

The warehouse that would rise in Ormoc City is designed to withstand winds with a velocity of 350 kilometers per hour (kph), and earthquakes with an intensity of 8.0.

Super Typhoon Yolanda, that struck the country in November  2013 had maximum sustained winds with a velocity of 315 kph.

The climate-resilient warehouse is expected to be operational in March 2016, the NFA said.

The warehouse, with a capacity of 100,000 bags, would be located in Barangay San Pablo, Ormoc, 80 kilometers away from the NFA Provincial Office in Palo, Leyte. It would augment the holding capacity of the existing warehouse in the area that can house 30,000-bags.

Furthermore, NFA said the new warehouse can supply the food security requirements of Ormoc and nine other municipalities: Albuera, Merida, Isabel, Palompon, Matagob, Villaba, Tabango, San Isidro, Capoocan, and Kananga.

It would also serve as a terminal warehouse for shipments coming in via air and sea meant for other areas in Leyte. Ormoc is a transportation hub of Leyte, hosting one of Leyte’s major ports and airport.

“This warehouse is important to ensure food security and availability in Ormoc and the rest of Leyte,” said NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay. “Due to Leyte’s central location and vulnerability to natural calamities, it is important that there be adequate prepositioned supplies to boost existing rice production, especially during emergencies.”

Prior to the opening of this warehouse, local authorities in Ormoc had to bring in additional rice stocks from other areas to immediately augment the food supply for citizens affected by calamities.

“We are happy to have this warehouse as it is needed to beef up the storage capability of Region 8,” said Regional Director Celedonio Mendoza. “Ormoc is easily accessible and is now made more ready to serve all areas in Eastern Visayas.”

Aside from Ormoc, two other warehouses with the same climate-resilient features are scheduled to be built in Alang-alang in Leyte and Masbate City in Bicol.