There is No Rice Shortage, Distribution Is the Problem, NFA Says
The National Food Authority (NFA) has enough rice to last for 100 days said Diocano “Jun” Alojado, the agency’s assistant regional director, as more imported rice are coming in.
“There is no rice shortage. The problem is in the distribution,” Alojado said, as he asked the help of Cebu Gov.Hilario P Davide in asking for the support of the local government units (LGUs) in the distribution of rice supply.
Davide, through Executive Order No. 10, convened the Cebu Provincial Price Coordinating Council (CPPCC) last Wednesday, Sept. 19, which tasks include the monitoring of other government agencies’ efforts to address the increasing prices of basic commodities.
The council is chaired by Gov. Davide and co-chaired by Department of Trade and Industry 7 Director Asteria Caberte.
“Ang importante, we assure the people that there is no rice shortage,” said Davide, adding that the NFA lacks outlets and not rice.
“Perception and logistics, that is the problem of NFA, not rice shortage,” said Antonio Chiu, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
Davide said he will seek the help of Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Cebu Chapter, to tap the mayors in the distribution of rice in their respective localities.
Alojado, in his report during the meeting, said that the NFA 7 has seven warehouses with 533,000 bags of rice at present.
Additional 120,000 bags of rice are expected to be unloaded next week, plus another 240,000 bags of imported rice to arrive next month.
“Please help NFA monitor (rice) sale of retailers because we are worried if we give them large quantities of rice, baka kung saan lang mapunta,” said Alojado.
The NFA will also be releasing requirements for accreditation to interested retailers and assured that it will also fast-track the accreditation of LGUs and people cooperatives.
The council meeting was also attended by officials and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Philippine Statistics Authority, and CCCI. OCP
