KALIBO, Aklan – The National Food Authority (NFA) Aklan deployed “rolling stores” that will sell rice at a low price.
Residents of far-flung barangays stand to benefit from quality and affordable rice, the NFA said – regular-milled rice is sold at P27 per kilo.
The agency sent out its rolling stores in Libacao and Nabas towns for poor consumers and indigenous peoples to directly avail themselves of a government-subsidized and cheaper rice variant.
The NFA is also activating “Tagpuan Day” in Ibajay, Boracay Island (Malay) and Batan to reach out to poor locals when commercial rice prices increase.
According to NFA-Aklan administrator Josephine Venus Castillo, their rice stocks are not enough to supply the entire population and influence the prices of commercial rice in the markets.
Meanwhile the agency is closely monitoring NFA-accredited rice dealers and inspecting the warehouses of traders who may be hoarding or diverting NFA rice and selling them for a high price like commercial rice.
Latest price monitoring shows commercial rice prices in Aklan range from P50 to P55 per kilo.
The NFA is mandated to provide food security through rice buffer-stocking, monitoring of grains markets and businessmen, enforcing rules and regulations governing the grains business, and licensing and registration of all rice and corn businesses. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
