By Ernie Esconde/PNA
BALANGA CITY, Bataan — A team headed by the National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday inspected rice retail outlets at the Balanga City public market in Bataan to see if they are complying with the suggested retail price (SRP) for milled rice and the prescribed labeling of rice boxes and price tags.
The team also consisted of representatives of the departments of agriculture and trade, local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Adelaida Nuestro, NFA provincial manager, said they started the inspection in Balanga City and proceeded to other retail outlets in the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, Bagac, and Morong.
Nuestro said this complies with a memorandum issued by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, chairman of the NFA council, last October 24.
“Kung may violation, may nakatakdang kaparusahan pero dahil bago pa lang, susulatan muna bilang reminder to comply (If there is a violation, there is a corresponding penalty but since it is new, we will write them first to remind them to comply),” she said.
Nuestro pointed out that the inspection is for the good of consumers.
“Dapat malaman nila at maging malinaw kung ano talaga ang selling price ng bigas (They must be informed, and the selling price of rice should be clear to them),” she said.
Gloria Abraham, a 64-year-old buyer, said she does not mind the new rice labeling.
“Okay lang. Kilala ko naman ang bigas. Malambot ang hinahanap ko (It’s okay. Anyway, I know the rice and I am looking for the soft one),” Abraham said.
She also recalled having a bad experience with the former labeling of rice.
“Nakabili ako. Ang sabi, dinorado, pero pagdating ng bahay, walang amoy (hindi mabango), matigas (I bought rice once and I was told it was dinorado. But when I arrived home, it was odorless and not soft),” Abraham said.
She said she will still try the rice she bought under the new label.
Milled rice is now classified into regular milled, well-milled, premium grade and special rice. Special rice is exempted from SRP.
Prices of rice at the Balanga City public market range from PHP37 to PHP75 per kg. NFA rice is still sold at PHP27 per kg.
