The government has opened its ₱20 per kilo rice program in parts of the Visayas hit by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed on Wednesday.
Tiu Laurel, who was attending the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in Pasay City, said a team has been deployed to assess the hardest-hit areas after the strong quake struck Bogo City, Cebu, late Tuesday night.
“We are food secure at the moment. We have enough supplies,” he said.
“Pinabukas ko na ‘yong ₱20 rice also in the area na tinamaan for all, for at least one month para makatulong while recovering, including in Masbate and Eastern Samar,” he added.
Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency is on standby to extend support to farmers in affected areas. He added that they are still waiting for reports on possible agricultural damage, particularly to farm-to-market roads in the region.
The entire Cebu province was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday. Authorities reported at least 60 deaths and dozens of injuries, though the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is still validating the casualty count.