MANILA—The National Food Authority (NFA) has deployed truckloads of rice to storm-hit Masbate, following Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.’s directive to provide immediate relief to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong over the weekend.

“For one month in Masbate, starting Tuesday, we will be selling ₱20 rice to all households—up to 30 kilos—to immediately help our fellow Filipinos who are in dire need of stable, affordable food,” Tiu Laurel said Monday.

The intervention is part of Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!, the flagship food-assistance program of President Marcos Jr., which provides up to 10 kilograms of rice per household monthly to vulnerable sectors, including solo parents, senior citizens, farmers and fishers, persons with disabilities, indigents, transport workers, and minimum wage earners.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that around 70,000 households in Masbate—an island province dependent on agriculture, fisheries, and livestock—were affected by the storm.

In addition to making ₱20 rice accessible, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a price freeze on basic agricultural goods after Masbate was placed under a state of calamity. The freeze covers both local and imported rice, pork, poultry, eggs, fish, cooking oil, onions, and garlic.

The DA warned that violations of the price freeze could result in penalties under the Price Act, including fines or revocation of business permits.

To strengthen supply, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said rice shipments are being increased in Masbate and other affected areas. He added that 2.4 million bags of rice have been allocated for calamity response, drawn from existing buffer stocks equivalent to 8.9 million bags.

Tiu Laurel also said the DA is assessing the extent of damage caused by Opong to determine the appropriate assistance for affected farmers and fishers, which may include input support, indemnities, and other forms of financial aid.