To help in the immediate recovery of the rice areas in Region 8 – Eastern Visayas, the DA Bicol headed by Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla, started sending rice seeds to said region. DA Bicol Regional Rice Program focal person Earl Vincent P. Vegas said that the certified rice seeds were part of DA Bicol’s seed reserve for 2022.

PhilRice Bicol’s trucks were used in the transport of the rice seeds to region 8. The delivery started on January 23, 2023, and is estimated to be completed before the end of January.

All three provinces of Samar island are now under a state of calamity following severe flooding brought by a series of low-pressure areas and shearline. (Lovella P. Guarin)