NFA Starts Distribution of Low-Priced, Quality Rice in Metro Manila

The National Food Authority on Tuesday (June 26) has started the distribution of low-priced, good quality NFA rice in Metro Manila.

The agency also assured the public of enough buffer stock for the entire country as fresh rice imports arrived.

The shipments came from Vietnam and Thailand, the only countries with a memorandum of agreement on rice importation with the Philippines.

According to NFA Administrator Jason Aquino, he personally supervised the distribution of rice in Metro Manila markets to ensure ample supply of rice in the National Capital Region.

He added that it took a while for the imported rice shipments to be finally delivered to the NFA warehouses because of rainy weather recently.

Aquino said, with the approval of the president, the NFA had to resort to government-to-government procurement, which is the fastest means to acquire the much-needed buffer stocks for food security and price and supply stabilization.

He said NFA rice at P27 and P32/kg was earlier distributed in Central Luzon, Bicol, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions. (PIA-NCR)