ROUGHLY 1 million bags of rice have been readied in regions expected to be most affected by the tropical storm. — PHILSTAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
THE National Food Authority (NFA) said it has readied rice stocks in provinces expected to be hit by Typhoon Ompong, which has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
In a statement on Thursday, the NFA announced that around 380,000 bags of rice have been deployed to various warehouses in Luzon, bringing the total tally to roughly one million. These bags will be distributed by accredited retailers for relief operations. To support these efforts, offices have also opened 24-hour operation centers.
Typhoon Ompong is forecasted to pass through Northern Luzon, bringing along heavy rains that may cause floods and landslides.
NFA Administrator Jason Laureano Y. Aquino said that while weather still permitted, the agency was able to distribute bags to various ports in Luzon including locations in Manila, Subic, La Union, Legazpi, and Batangas
“Our men in the field worked overtime so we were able to have more stocks in our warehouses before the typhoon lands,” he said.
The state grains agency has a memorandum of agreement with various relief agencies and local government units allowing these LGUs to withdraw rice from NFA on credit for relief operations.

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