MANILA, July 7 — The National Food Authority has assured that there is sufficient rice supply in Eastern Visayas in the wake of a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that hit the region Thursday.
NFA Administrator Jason L. Y. Aquino, who is now in Cagayan de Oro to meet with the NFA’s Regional Directors, assured that the agency’s rice inventory in the region is currently equivalent to 13 days of the daily rice consumption requirement. “The NFA in Region 08 has at least 399,900 bags, or 19,994 metric tons (MT) of rice pre-positioned in all its warehouses in the region.”
The NFA added it has deployed market monitoring teams to assess the rice supply and price situation in the area.
Based on reports of the monitoring team, the prevailing market price of commercial rice in Eastern Visayas remains stable. Prices of Regular Milled Rice (RMR) remained at PHP33.00 to PHP38.00 per kilogram while Well Milled Rice (WMR) remained at PHP38.00 to PHP45.00 per kilogram.
The teams were also instructed to inspect NFA-accredited retail outlets to ensure that affordable government rice is readily available and accessible to the consuming public.
“We must not allow anyone to take advantage of these calamities. We must ensure that NFA rice will remain to be sold at PHP27.00/kg for RMR and PHP32.00/kg for WMR,” Aquino added.
The NFA has also activated its Operations Center (OPCEN) to provide quick response to queries and accommodate rice purchases from LGUs and relief institutions who may want to buy NFA rice in cash or credit basis for those with Rice Loan Memorandum of Agreement with NFA.
The NFA has standing memorandum of agreements with various relief agencies like DSWD, OCD, and local government units (LGUs) which allow them to withdraw rice on credit from the food agency for their relief operation anytime during calamities and emergencies.(PR/NFA)
