Santi losses up; rice import sought

THE P2.9-billion damage caused by Typhoon "Santi鈥� to the country鈥檚 rice crops has made it even more imperative to increase the volume of rice being imported by the Philippines, an economist said Tuesday. As this developed, two more rice-producing provinces鈥揚resident Aquino鈥檚 hometown of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija鈥搘ere placed under a state of calamity. Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow of the SA国际传媒, said the Aquino administration should adopt a more open policy toward rice importation. "Even without the devastation, we need a more open policy toward rice importation. The impact of typhoon Santi makes it even more necessary,鈥� Briones said. He said Filipinos were always paying more for rice as a result of the current rate of domestic rice production. "Importing more rice will bring the price of the grain closer to world prices,鈥� Briones said, adding he was opposed to the Department of Agriculture鈥檚 self-sufficiency policy.