NFA: Western Visayas has Stable Rice Supply

Bacolod City (PNA) — The National Food Authority (NFA) said Western Visayas, particularly Negros Occidental, has stable rice supply for the lean months between July and September.

NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said he is visiting NFA offices in Western Visayas to ensure that there is adequate rice supply in the region.

“Ensuring stable rice supply would also ensure that rice prices are low,” said Dalisay, who made a courtesy call to Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. Wednesday.

He said that Region 6 has a 15-day buffer stock while Negros Occidental has a 22-day buffer stock.

“My policy is to lower rice prices,” he said, citing current market prices pegged at P32 per kilo from the previous P40.

Dalisay added that his marching orders from Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security, is “to prepare for the lean months so that rice prices will not increase.”

“Traditionally, rice prices go up starting January but right now, prices are stable. We are trying to ensure stable rice supply for the prices to remain stable until December this year,” the NFA chief said.

Dalisay also said it will be up to the Food Security Committee, an inter-agency committee, to decide if the government still needs to import rice from other Asian countries.

“It will depend on the rice production of the country. I believe they will meet to assess the impact of the drought being experienced by the country right now,” he added. (PNA) LAP/NLG/TDE