THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) is coordinating with select local government units (LGUs) for the sale of National Food Authority (NFA) rice nationwide.
The sale of NFA rice to LGUs, government agencies and government-owned-and-controlled corporations worth PHP36/kg., including newly milled or not yet aging rice, is allowed under a food security emergency for rice that has yet to be declared.
“Basically, nationwide ito pero kung saan malapit 'yung stocks… Mangyayari diyan is iyong guidelines na labas namin (This will be nationwide but for those near the stocks… What will happen is that we will release the guidelines) by the end of the month. So it will take time for them to really look at it,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a dinner interview late Thursday.
He said the initial move aims to reduce freight or logistics costs and maintain the affordable level of NFA rice for consumers.
“We cannot give all municipalities or LGUs or cities. Ang diskarte (The strategy) for minimal friction cost is kung ano pinakamalapit sa stocks, iyon ang bibigyan ng mga (wherever is nearest to the stocks, that will be given the) allocation,” Tiu Laurel said.
Under the food security emergency for rice, the DA can sell NFA rice to LGUs and other government bodies starting Feb. 1, which can then be sold to consumers at PHP38/kg.
“They can book already. Then maybe the delivery is maybe February 7 to 15,” Tiu Laurel said, citing the transmittal of letters from the NFA to select LGUs to identify their intent and volume allocation needed.
The DA earlier met with Metro Manila mayors to ensure the availability of NFA rice in the region.
For the initial monthly target, at least 9,000 bags of NFA rice will be allocated for the 17 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region; and 3,000 bags in Calamba, Laguna.
Other areas with high NFA stocks include Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.
“It will be foolish for us to mill it and send it to Luzon or Mindanao for additional freight costs. So, kung kaya lang ma-consume iyon within Mindoro, then subukan ubusin iyon (If they can consume it within Mindoro, then they can try to exhaust it),” Tiu Laurel said.
He also said Mindoro can also supply NFA rice to Cebu.
To date, almost 300,000 metric tons (MT) of NFA rice stocks may be sold under a food security emergency for rice.
The DA, however, is yet to receive the official copy of the resolution from the National Price Coordinating Council for the declaration.
“The draft has been given and they're finalizing or have finalized already and I'm actually assuming that it is already going around for signature,” Tiu Laurel said.
Besides making cheaper NFA rice available to the public, the said declaration will also enable NFA to free up warehouse spaces and support local farmers through palay (unhusked rice) procurement for the upcoming harvest season. (Stephanie Sevillano)
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