Senators push for probe into NFA, ‘rice shortage’

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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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February 12, 2018
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MANILA – An inquiry aimed at determining the causes of the reported rice shortage in the country was being pushed in Senate.

The National Food Authority (NFA) said there is a low supply of affordable rice in the markets, prompting the prices of commercial rice to rack up.

Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol, on the other hand, insisted there is no rice shortage and there is in fact an “oversupply.”

These conflicting statements came as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to boost the country’s supply.

Kailangan nating tingnan sa mga merkado kung nagkakaroon ng kakulangan ng suplay ng NFA rice,” said Sen. Grace Poe.

Palagi na lang nangyayari ito. Bakit tayo umaabot sa nagkukulang tayo?” she added. “Mayroon bang sindikato sa loob na nagpipigil ng tamang datos na ilabas kung mayroon bang sapat odi sapat na suplay?”

The Agriculture department should prioritize local rice procurement, Poe said. “Huwag nating baratin, bilhin natin sa tamang presyo.”

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, on the other hand, said the Senate inquiry may address issues on rice production and importation.

The government must have rice supply enough for 15 days during the harvest season and 30 days during the lean months, Pangilinan said.

It needs to import rice because Filipinos consume about 12 million tons of rice every year but produces only about 90 percent of that amount, said the former Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

“It’s a combination of managing your rice supply correctly, importing at the right time – not during harvest season because you will compete with farmers – making sure you import ahead,” he said. “Meaning, you buy for delivery five to six months from now.”

On Feb. 6 Cynthia Villar filed Senate Resolution 608 urging the appropriate committee to investigate the NFA’s role in ensuring the stability of rice supply and prices.

“There is a need to look into the supply of NFA rice for the consuming public and the NFA in fulfilling its administrative capabilities to respond to the needs of the people,” said the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Food./PN
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