The National Food Authority (NFA) on Wednesday assured its preparedness to release rice to affected local government units (LGUs) amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a phone interview, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said he has activated all their warehouses to immediately respond to requests in affected areas.

“Lahat ng NFA offices ngayon bukas (All of the NFA offices are now open). I have instructed everyone to be on alert, provide assistance, kahit hindi bigas, kahit sasakyan (not just rice, but also vehicle) or whatever, especially in Region V (Bicol Region). Dapat ang ating gobyerno ay (The government must be) responsive,” he said.

“Bicol ang pinakamatinding tinamaan. I am coordinating, kanina pang umaga (was the hardest-hit. I am coordinating, since early morning) with our regional manager in Sorsogon at sa (and in) Catanduanes. We are doing the release of the rice request ng ating (of our) LGUs,” Lacson added, citing initial requests of 500 sacks in each of the said areas.

Lacson, meanwhile, said there are ongoing inspections in NFA warehouses in Valenzuela, Bulacan, and Tarlac to ensure the orderly release of rice stocks as Kristine moves northwestward.

“Bago man dumating ang bagyong ito (Even before this storm came), we have enough stocks for all of them. Ang stocks natin nationwide ngayon (our stocks nationwide now is) 6.5 days to last. So, we are really confident mayroon tayong ibibigay na stocks sa LGUs na mangangailangan (there will be stocks to be given to LGUs in need),” he added.

The 6.5-day rice stock is equivalent to 4.3 million bags of NFA rice. (PNA)