MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday took to task the National Food Authority (NFA) for its failure to distribute rice to communities for free especially with the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.

Binay hit the NFA over its rather slow response in distributing rice to families and communities as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic, saying that the rice authority has enough supply of rice in its warehouses.

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“Anong oras na? Dapat ipamigay na ng NFA ang mga bigas sa tao. Importanteng maitawid muna natin kahit 14 days lang ang mga pamilyang direktang naapektuhan ng lockdown. Hindi ito bakasyon–giyera ito,” Binay said in a statement.

(What time is it? NFA should already distribute rice to the public. It is important for us to help families directly affected by the lockdown survive the next 14 days. This is not a vacation, this is a war.)

“Kailangan pa ba nating hintayin na magkagulo at may mamatay sa gutom? Ano ba ang plano? Sana kumilos na para matulungan lahat ng nangangailangan,” Binay said.

(Should we wait for chaos to set and and for somebody to die of hunger? What is the plan? Hopefully they can act so help will be extended to those who need it.)

Binay said that the NFA has a standing memorandum of agreement with various agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense and local government units for rice supply at times of natural disasters and other emergencies.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine as a part of the government’s effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Under the enhanced community quarantine, “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated; and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”

EDV

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