MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) is hopeful that soaring rice prices will be tempered as the harvest season kicks in.
“Itong Nueva Ecija and other palay-producing regions ay nag-uumpisa na, so ine-expect natin na bababa ang presyo [ng bigas] in the coming days,” NFA spokesperson Jerry Imperial said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
Asked about the long queues in NFA retail stores, Imperial said the situation is inevitable, because consumers always tend to opt for what is affordable.
“Talagang ganoon ang mangyayari kasi napakalaki ng price difference ng NFA rice, ‘yung ating subsidized rice, sa prevailing market price,” he explained.
NFA rice is sold at P32 and P27 per kilogram – still cheaper than commercial rice, which is sold in the market from anywhere from P42 to P70 per kilogram.
Imperial said that the NFA wants to offer consumers a variety of subsidized rice.
“Dalawang klase talaga ang in-import natin, approved by the NFA Council: ‘yung 15 percent broken, ‘yung medyo basag na, ay ibenebenta natin ng P32. Yung 30 percent broken, ibinebenta natin ng P27,” he said.
Imperial also said that more rice imports are bound to be added to the agency’s buffer stock.
“May hinihintay pa tayo na hindi pa naibababang 39,800 metric tons [ng bigas] equivalent to 788,000 bags, plus may papadating na 37,800 metric tons. Ito ay bahagi ng 250,000 metric tons na binuksan noong kamakailan lamang…para ngayong taon,” he said.
Furthermore, the spokesperson bared that NFA is also scheduled to open the bidding for another 250,000 metric tons of rice on October 18. These grains will be delivered not later than November 30.
Imperial also said that Agriculture secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol is conducting a series of consultations with the major players in the grain industry on stabilizing the prices of rice.
Rice hoarding
Imperial said that the government has also intensified its campaign against rice hoarding by creating an inter-agency task force composed of various government agencies including the NFA, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), among others.
“Lahat ng regional directors sa lahat ng lugar sa buong Pilipinas ay binigyan ng atas na mag-create nga nitong inter-agency task force, ang tawag dito is Subcommittee on Rice Hoarding, Cartel and Smuggling,” he said.
The NFA spokesperson underscored the importance of the citizens’ participation in combating the issue of rice hoarding in the country.
The agency urges the public to report any suspected illegal activities concerning rice, such as hoarding, through their hotline: 0906 463 3133. (GMA News)
