BACOLOD CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) has opened three more “Tagpuan” outlets in Negros Occidental, this time outside Bacolod City.
These are in barangays Ma-ao and Busay in Bago City, and in Barangay Poblacion, San Enrique town.
NFA-Negros Occidental provincial manager Frisco Canoy said Monday the opening of more “Tagpuan” outlets is part of the various government measures to make the PHP27 per kilo NFA rice more accessible, particularly to those in the marginalized sector.
“Tagpuan” refers to a place where people would usually converge, such as markets and barangay halls, where the NFA outlet is being set up once a week.
The one in Barangay Ma-ao was opened on October 7. It is the eighth outlet opened in the province since September.
The five others are located in Barangays Sum-ag, Granada, Banago, Singcang-Airport and Felisa in Bacolod City.
Canoy said in Barangay Ma-ao, they distributed an initial allocation of 20 bags availed of by about 500 residents.
The NFA allows each consumer to buy up to two kilograms of “cheaper yet quality” government rice from the “Tagpuan” outlets.
Canoy said the initial allocation of 20 bags for every “tagpuan” outlet may still increase depending on the availability of supply.
“When our stocks increase, we can also distribute more,” he added.
Canoy said NFA-Negros Occidental continues to accept applications from other retailers in the province interested to sell through “Tagpuan” aside from their regular market outlets.
He noted the NFA also wants to give other consumers, especially those from far-flung areas and those who go to the market only once a week, the chance to also avail of the PHP27 per kilogram rice.
“Applications submitted to the office are now subject to assessment and verification,” Canoy said.
The “Tagpuan Rice Responsible Delivery” Program is being implemented by the NFA in collaboration with the Grains Retailers Confederation in Negros Occidental. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
