NFA Rice Sales Up in NegOr

The volume of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) sold at public markets and accredited retail outlets in Negros Oriental went up from August to September this year.

NFA Provincial Operations Officer Emily Diputado reported that sales of NFA rice rose from 22, 983 in August to 23, 408 as of September 24 this year.

Diputado noted that this could mean the demand of NFA rice increased during the said period.

When asked if this is triggered by inflation, she cited that there is a possibility that this could be a factor.

“Nitaas ang demand so it could be katong inflation. Ang mga tao ni-prefer ug palit sa NFA rice (The demand rose. It could be because of inflation and people prefer to NFA rice),” Diputado said.

NFA rice is sold at P32 per kilo which is cheaper compared to commercial rice which is sold at more than P40 to P50.

Despite the increase in demand, NFA Provincial Manager Hilaria Ganzon assured that there is enough supply of NFA rice for the entire province.

Ganzon disclosed the NFA has 23, 000 sacks of rice stored in their warehouse in Dumaguete City and another 5,000 sacks stored in their warehouse in Guihulngan City.

“Ang bulk sa atong stock naa sa Cebu. Mao man ang atong source province. So sila gihapon ang magpada. Karon gani human na ang shipment sa Tagbilaran (in Bohol) we will also have our own shipment (The bulk of our stocks are in Cebu since it is the source province and they regularly ship supplies to us. Right now, they have finished delivering their shipment in Tagbilaran, Bohol and we will also have our own shipment),” Ganzon further elaborated.

In relation to the increasing price of rice, Provincial Public Information Officer Camilo Kebite shared that the agency is also doing some interventions to help consumers cope up with the spike in the price of rice.

These measures are increased allocation of NFA rice.

Kebite said right now around 160 sacks of rice are distributed in public markets per week.

Aside from this, there is also an increase in the number of NFA accredited retailers.

Kebite reported that right now, the agency has registered 20% market participation.

“Moadto mo sa tiangge sa Dumaguete 20% nga baligya sa tibuok mercado is NFA rice (If you go to the public market in Dumaguete, 20% of the rice sold in the public market is NFA rice),” Kebite said.

“Ang tawo naana’y option, kung mahal kaayo ang commercial adto ka sa NFA. Mapugos pod ang mga negosyante uban na paubson pod nila (ang presyo) para macontrol ang presyo sa rice (People have option. If they find commercial rice expensive they can buy NFA. Because of this, other businessmen will be urged to lower their price. In that way, market price of rice is controlled),” he added.

In addition to these efforts, NFA also holds “Tagpuan” stores and rolling stores in far-flung and depressed areas. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)