Eggs shortage looms

CEBU, Philippines - A big part of the Visayas may have a scarcity of supply of eggs following the grave damage caused by super typhoon “Yolanda” to Bantayan Island which is considered the “egg basket” in the region.

Meanwhile, business establishments in Metro Cebu and key cities in the province have reported that the super typhoon caused minimal damage as far as costs of operations is concerned.

Cebu 4th district Representative Benhur Salimbangon warned about the shortage of eggs following his aerial survey yesterday of Bantayan Island where he saw the damage in residential and agricultural properties.

Bantayan Island, which is composed of the municipalities of Bantayan, Madridejos and Santa Fe, produce more than 100 tons of eggs per day or 1.6 million eggs, to be distributed to mainland Cebu, Negros, Panay and Leyte.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Philip Tan said that while few businesses incurred minor damages, there is nothing to worry about in Mandaue City as commercial establishments are back to normal.

He urged the public to rather be thankful and be more concerned in extending assistance in other areas such as the northern part of Cebu that are in immediate need of help.

He also lauded the efficiency of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in providing accurate weather updates that has resulted to the reduction of casualty and extensive damage.

“This is the result of the improvement under the Aquino administration. Everybody came prepared,” Tan said.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lito Maderaza, on the other hand, pointed out the need for adaptation to climate change and for environmental consciousness in preparation for the natural calamities that may hit the country.

He cited that while the government and private sector have to concentrate their efforts on disaster preparedness, the academe could include disaster risk reduction in the educational curriculum.

“Good thing that there were no major disruptions in the city. Cebu City was spared. Environmental awareness is the protection of the society against these natural calamities. This is not a joke anymore; this is already true and very real. If we continue to ignore it, the more destruction and damage these weather conditions will wreak havoc on us,” he stated.

Regan Rex King, disaster coordinating committee head of  CCCI, reported minimal damage among businesses in the metropolitan area but received reports from residents in the northern part of the province asking for assistance on the supply of food, water, blankets, and tents.

The chamber is currently collecting and repacking relief goods among members to be distributed to the typhoon victims as soon as possible. They will also eventually provide the affected families with ropes and construction materials for the rehabilitation of  their houses.

King said that they will simultaneously conduct the relief  operations starting off in the northern Cebu provinces before proceeding to neighboring islands such as Leyte, Ormoc and Tacloban.

DTI-CPO provincial director Nelia Navarro said that stores in key areas in Cebu such as Cebu City, Mandaue, Liloan, Consolacion, and Danao have already resumed its operations.

The trade department conducted an inspection in the areas the day after the typhoon struck, to ensure the flow of goods and services to consumers.

She, however, noted that establishments in the northern towns that were badly affected suffer inaccessibility of goods since  roads are not passable due to  the  aftermath of  the storm.

She said that they will go there by next week and initially suggested to the local government officials to inform grocery store operators and sari-sari store owners to display their goods outside if they could not sell inside the establishments.

“Lisod kayo. These makeshift stores will be able to provide the basic needs of the people there as of the moment,” she said.

Navarro further reminded the public that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain within the price control as imposed in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol after the earthquake last month.

She added that there is also sufficient supply of goods as local merchandisers usually reserve supplies good for one to two weeks and have prepared early because of the anticipated influx of customers for the holiday season.

Navarro encourages consumers to report any cases of price increase and the name of establishment to the trade department.  (FREEMAN)