The National Food Authority assures the public its field personnel are working double time to immediately deliver its P27 and P32 per kilogram good quality rice in markets across the country.
In addition to Central Luzon, Bicol, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions that earlier started selling NFA rice, more regions in Mindanao are already selling in full swing.
In Region 10, a total of 6,140 bags had already been distributed through 149 outlets. Of this number, a total of 1,168 bags were distributed through 70 market outlets in Bukidnon; 1,241 bags via 49 outlets in the island of Camiguin; 800 bags via 15 outlets in Lanao del Norte; and 2, 931 bags via 15 outlets in Misamis Oriental.
In Region 11, a total of 13,471 bags had already been sold via 783 market outlets from June 21 to 28. These were distributed as follows: General Santos-3,835 bags in 214 market outlets; Davao City-2,718 bags in 156 outlets; COMVAL-1,290 bags in 67 outlets; Davao Oriental-1,283 bags in 146 outlets; Davao del Sur-1,671 bags in 74 outlets; and Davao del Norte-2,681 bags in 126 outlets.
In Region 12, a total of 522 bags had already been distributed, including purchases by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. NFA rice was made available in five municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato. South Cotabato will start distributing NFA rice on Monday, July 2, with the expected arrival of stocks from NFA General Santos in Region 11.
In Caraga, a total of 6,556 bags have been distributed through 489 outlets across the region.
“We are happy that those who have already bought our newly-delivered imported rice appreciate its good quality. That is our mission at NFA: to safeguard the quality of our government-subsidized rice because our poor kababayans deserve no less,” NFA administrator Jason Aquino said.
As of June 28, a total of 172,000 metric tons or 69 percent of the 250,000 MT rice imported via government-to-government tender from Vietnam and Thailand had already arrived in the country. Of the total volume, about 132,000 MT are still at port while 37,444.250 MT had already been delivered at the NFA designated warehouses. Another 40,400 MT are either in transit or being loaded at the ports of origin.
The remaining 37,600 MT or 15 percent of the total volume is still for nomination of vessels from the country of origin.
The imported rice stocks arrived starting June 2 in the ports of Surigao and Subic, but discharging was delayed due to bad weather. In Surigao where weather was good, stocks were immediately unloaded and market distribution started last June 8.
Surigao already received its full allocation of 5,000 MT while Subic, which started unloading two weeks later, had already received 17,000 MT from its total allocation of 25,000 MT.
Other areas where NFA rice had been delivered are: Batangas-12,400 MT (not yet unloaded due to intermittent rains); Tabaco–6,300 MT, with 4,322.9 MT already delivered at NFA warehouse; Iloilo-4,000 MT (not yet unloaded); Cebu-25,000 MT, with 4,825 MT already unloaded; Cagayan de Oro–12,300 MT with 10,343.950 MT received at warehouse; Davao–10,000 MT, with 1,024.400 MT received at warehouse; General Santos -5,000 MT; Manila–72,300 MT, with 2,467.500 MT received at warehouse.
Stocks received at designated NFA warehouses and certified as conforming to specifications are immediately dispersed to markets within the receiving regions.
Meanwhile, as the NFA intensifies its market monitoring, along with the distribution of its low-priced rice back in the markets, the agency is banking on public support in ensuring that the government-subsidized NFA rice at P27 and P32/kilogram goes direct to its intended beneficiaries: the marginalized sector.
“We will not tolerate any vicious activities like diversion or adulteration of NFA rice for greater profit. That’s why we are calling on the public to help us monitor any wrongdoing such as alleged re-bagging of NFA rice, mislabeling NFA rice as commercial rice, or mixing NFA rice with commercial rice for bigger profits,” NFA’s Aquino said.
Aquino led NFA-NCR and marketing officials during a market inspection and monitoring yesterday at the Commonwealth, Munoz, Kamuning and Nepa Q-Mart as the agency started distributing NFA rice in Metro Manila markets.
NFA rice at P27 and P32/kg was earlier distributed in Central Luzon, Bicol, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.
To get the public more involved as watchdog over government rice, the NFA said the public may air their concerns via Hotline 8888, based in Malacanang, where all complaints related to rice and NFA are acted upon by concerned NFA offices and personnel within a 72-hour timeframe.
“While we are religiously conducting daily monitoring at the markets, we also have limited personnel to handle that job. That’s why we are calling on all concerned citizens to help us spot and immediately resolve problems in the sale of NFA rice as we do our best to distribute it to as many areas at the soonest possible time,” Aquino said.
Aquino said priority distribution centers for NFA rice are areas with high poverty incidence such as highly-populated urban centers, remote areas, calamity-prone areas and island provinces.
The NFA acknowledges that the public will play a big role in making sure that the cheap NFA rice will always be present in the market. “Public participation is important. They will serve as our eyes and ears on the ground,” Aquino said.
He explained that NFA’s 22,660 accredited rice retailers nationwide are constantly reminded of their duties and responsibilities as government’s partners and ultimate link to rice consumers. NFA field offices regularly hold “Ugnayan” sessions with them to discuss rice trading rules and regulations and thresh out issues, problems and concerns.