by RHEE Fer HORTALEZA

ROSALES, Pangasinan - Pangasinenses hard-hit by calamities are at least assured of sufficient rice due to the approval of a resolution authored by sixth district Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members Robert ‘Eskimo’ M. Estrella, Jr. and Marilyn Primicias Agabas recently.

The Estrella-Agabas-authored resolution authorizes Governor Victor E. Agbayani to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Food Authority’s various branches in Pangasinan for the prompt release of rice in the event that unexpected calamities hit the province.

The calamities, according to Estrella, include floods and other natural calamities or emergencies that affect the populace, especially poverty-stricken folk.

According to Estrella, the MOA likewise provides that the province can avail itself of NFA rice even if it is not paid at once especially in cases when Agbayani is out of the province when such calamities strike or occur.

“The immediate release of rice is imperative during emergencies so as to answer to the needs of people directly affected by such natural calamities - especially those who are forced to leave or evacuate their homes without being able to carry necessary belongings, with emphasis on food supplies,” Estrella pointed out.

He said he has observed this situation especially during the rainy season when floods are prone to occure “not only in my district in eastern Pangasinan but in the entire province.”

The resolution passed through a lot of deliberations among SP members before it finally earned the nod of the provincial legislators who obviously saw the wisdom and necessity of entering into such a set-up or agreement.

Estrella said the MOA should be undertaken with all branches of the NFA in the province so that the government agency can be tapped where calamities may strike - whehter this is in the eastern, central or western portion of Pangasinan, where the NFA actually has branch offices.