NFA centers open 24 hours for release of rice to ‘Sendong’ victims

MANILA, Philippines—The operations center of National Food Authority central office in Manila and its field operation centers in areas affected by Tropical Storm “Sendong” will be opened 24 hours to facilitate the release of rice for the victims, NFA administrator Lito Banayo said on Wednesday.

In the report, Banayo was quoted as saying the new office hours will help ensure the smooth coordination in the release of rice to government agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is in the forefront of relief operations in Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Zamboanga provinces in Northern Mindanao, and in Negros Oriental.

According to NFA records, some 4,000 sacks of rice have been released to the DSWD for thousands who were displaced by “Sendong,” which slammed Northern Mindanao on Friday night, leaving more than 1,000 dead and thousands displaced.

Meantime, the Department of Agriculture said “Sendong” destroyed some P15.4B worth of corn and palay crops in regions 4B, 5, 10, 11and the Caraga.

Agriculture Secretary Alcala said “Sendong” destroyed P2.27M corn crops in Zamboanga del Norte alone, the highest among the provinces in the regions.

He said Palawan reported P5.35M losses of palay, the highest reported among the provinces in “Sendong’s” path.