NFA ASSURES ENOUGH RICE IN TYPHOON NINA AFFECTED AREAS

National Food Authority Officer-in-Charge Tomas R. Escarez assured the public that the food agency has enough rice stocks in its warehouses nationwide particularly in Bicol Region, Calabarzon and Metro Manila areas directly hit by Typhoon Nina.

NFA local offices in these areas are on alert status and are closely coordinating with relief agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Regional and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC/PDRRMC), local government units (LGUs), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), among others for the issuance of their rice requirements.

"We are ready to issue their rice requirements anytime. We have a standing memorandum of agreement (MOA) with these relief agencies so they can withdraw rice from NFA during calamities and emergencies," Escarez explained.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Agency ( PAGASA ) Typhoon Nina has made a landfall in Catanduanes on Christmas Day and will continue to bring heavy rains and gusty winds as it crossed Southern Tagalog provinces towards the National Capital Region this Monday.

NFA local office in Bicol Region has already issued a total of 10,804 bags to the LGUs broken down as follows Albay 2,550, Camarines Norte 144, Camarines Sur 6,673 bags, Catanduanes 35 bags, Masbate 325 bags and Sorsogon 1,077 bags.

Escarez said that the NFA's rice inventory in Region 5 stands at 360,651 bags, Region 4 at 820,000 bags and 2,759,603 bags for NCR. The agency's nationwide rice inventory is 11,283,567 bags as of December 24, 2016. He also said that field offices in these regions were instructed to issue the best quality rice to LGUs and relief agencies. Likewise, the food agency's operations center ( OpCen) nationwide has been activated to ensure a 24- hour response and regularly monitor weather bulletins," he added.