LEGAZPI CITY – The Catanduanes provincial government announced on Friday that it has provided rice relief to 74,597 families affected by various weather disturbances throughout 2024. The initiative, managed by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), has reached 93.96 percent of the province’s 315 villages since January 8, with each family receiving a 10-kilogram rice package.
Roselle Navar, the head of PSWDO in Catanduanes, stated that the distribution has been coordinated with local barangay leaders, ensuring that nearly nine out of every ten families in the province have been assisted. The distribution has covered multiple municipalities including Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, Panganiban, San Andres, San Miguel, Viga, and Virac, with the number of beneficiary families ranging from 2,856 in Gigmoto to 16,301 in Virac.
Navar also mentioned that the provincial government plans to extend the rice distribution to the remaining barangays in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, quality checks have been performed to ensure the rice meets standards. Beyond rice, the government has also supplied galvanized iron sheets and nails to families whose homes were damaged by the weather disturbances.