More than 64,000 Catandunganon households during the following weeks may receive 10 kilos of rice and other assistance from the provincial government, according to the acting governor.
Acting Governor Shirley Abundo called for an emergency meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) last Wednesday to discuss the breakdown of P12-million in the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (DRRMF).
“Ang target po kasi namin by next week, matao na po kita, bilang augmentation na po sa munisipyo and sa barangay. Parang paubos na rin po ang mga stocks po ng munisipyo and barangay,” Abundo explained.
Despite the stockpile of 3,000 bags of National Food Authority (NFA) rice, the acting governor clarified that they would have to buy 9,868 bags of commercial rice to meet the target of 10 kilos per household.
“[B]aging dai pa pong liwanag ang pag-abot ning NFA rice sa province, because sa ibong, kadakol din pong gahalat nung mga bigas. For now, nagtao po ning certification ang NFA na we could buy outside,” she explained, mentioning a call with the NFA regional director.
Abundo explained that the government’s suppliers priced commercial rice at P2,200, compared to NFA rice at P1,250.
“Kaya nga talaga wala pong pag-asa sa ngayon na makakuha po tayo ng NFA rice. So pumapatak po lahat ‘yun P21,709,600… Pero for now, for the 9,868, P21 million po ang magagastos natin, para lang sa bigas,” she explained.
According to the report, the provincial government will provide rice, 3 pieces of canned goods, 3 pieces of Milo (24g), 2 twin packs of instant coffee, 2 sachets Bear brand powdered milk (33g), and 1 pack egg noodles.
The report also stated that the assistance, worth a total of P12,207,849.55, will go to a total of 64,340 households: 2,848 in Bagamanoc, 3,168 in Baras, 5,246 in Bato, 7,410 in Caramoran, 2,063 in Gigmoto, 5,058 in Pandan, 2,290 in Panganiban, 9,068 in San Andres, 3,700 in San Miguel, 5,331 in Viga, and 18,158 in Virac.