NFA doles out 600 sacks of rice to Taal-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines—The National Food Authority (NFA) on Wednesday said it has released a total of 599 bags of rice for distribution to residents of Taal Volcano eruption.

More than 40,000 locals from Batangas and Cavite have been evacuated after Taal volcano, the second most active in the country, spewed giant ash column on Sunday afternoon.

In a statement, NFA said 489 sacks were sent to displaced families in Cavite, 50 to Taysan, Batangas, and 60 to the Lions Club of Batangas which will distribute them to residents.

The NFA added that the Valenzuela City government has signified its intention to buy 9,600 bags from it to donate to evacuees.

Dansal also assured that the food agency has enough rice stocks in areas devastated by the Taal volcano eruption.

Local NFA offices in Batangas, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon are on alert status and are closely coordinating with the local government units and relief agencies for the issuance of rice for distribution to affected families and those in the evacuation centers.

Taal volcano is currently under Alert Level 4, which means that a violent eruption may happen within hours or days.

Batangas and Cavite are already placed under a state of calamity as ash and magma continue to gush from the volcano.