MANILA, July 7 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday allayed concerns about the possible effects of heavy rains amid the onset of the planting season for palay (unhusked rice).

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa explained that the rains are helping flood rice fields, which is necessary during planting.

"Wala naman tayong nakikita na malawakang pagbaha. So beneficial pa kasi ngayon taniman eh. Kailangan i-flood yung mga taniman natin (We are not seeing widespread flooding. So, it's still beneficial because we are now planting. We need to flood these areas)," de Mesa said in an interview.

He explained that heavy rains help raise water levels in dams, which are essential for irrigation.

The southwest monsoon, enh...