MANILA – As the rice tariffication measure is enacted into law, imported rice is expected to flood the markets. However, uncertainties arise on whether or not the cheap state-subsidized National Food Authority (NFA) rice can still be purchased at P27 per kilo by consumers.
The NFA said that its stock of cheap rice will only last until August this year.
The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, advised the public not worry as the government will continue to sell rice bought from local farmers.
The Rice Tariffication law states that the NFA shall only buy rice for buffer stocking in times of calamities.
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said NFA’s stock should last 15 to 30 days.
“Pano kung walang calamity? Hindi mo pwedeng itaga nang mahaba ‘yon. You have to mill it so that in the next cropping season you could buy another buffer stock,” Piñol said.
The question, however, still remains if the NFA can still sell rice at P27 per kilo.
Currently, the NFA buys paddy rice or palay from local farmers at P20.70 per kilo.
“Pag-uusapan… if the NFA is buying at this price, of course, higher than the imported rice what would be the price of the NFA rice in the market?” Piñol asked.
Another uncertainty lies on how cheap can commercial rice prices get once the country becomes flooded with imported varieties.
According to Piñol, commercial rice prices can go as low as P34 per kilo if it is composed of 25 percent broken rice.
This price, however, is not as cheap as the NFA variety.
“‘Yung tama lang na hindi mag-collapse ang presyo sa merkado at walang calamity so that we can feed our people,” Piñol said.
In his press conference earlier, the Agriculture chief assured local farmers of government support to ensure good harvests. (GMA News)
