80T sacks of imported rice for Panay

ILOILO City –A total of 80,000 sacks of rice from Thailand have arrived at the Iloilo International Port in Barangay Loboc, La Paz.

Procured by the Philippine government, the 4,000 metric tons of rice will be distributed to four Panay Island provinces, according to National Food Authority (NFA) regional manager Angel Imperial Jr.

M/V Dong Phu, loaded with the rice, reached the international port on June 25 from Thailand.

“This is a government-to-government procurement negotiation,” said Imperial.

The unloading of the rice started on June 28.

The provinces of Capiz and Antique will get 10,000 bags each while Aklan will have 5,000 bags. The rest are for Iloilo.

Imperial said the Philippine government procured a total of 250,000 metric tons of rice and Western Visayas was actually allotted 8,000 metric tons. The 80,000 sacks were just an initial shipment.

Another 4,000 metric tons will be arriving next week. These are for Negros Occidental.

Imperial said the rice will be sold at P27 per kilo. He assured the public it is of good quality.

“The people really deserve, lalo na ‘yung sa low-income bracket, good quality rice from the government,” said Imperial.

NFA Administrator Jason Aquino said in Manila the government to government procurement scheme was in line with the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to hasten the importation of rice to maintain food security in the country.

“As the President instructed, ‘Hindi na baleng sumobra, huwag lang kulangin (It is alright to exceed rather than lacking),” said Aquino.

However, the official clarified that only the marginalized population, the indigenous and NFA-accredited retailers endorsed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development can avail themselves of the rice at P27 per kilo.

With the arrival of the imported rice – and with more coming in August – NFA is expecting a drop in the price of commercial rice between P1 to P2 per kilo.

Aquino also clarified that NFA is not pro-importation, saying “as much as we would like to buy locally harvested palay, the price is too high and it is practically cheaper to buy imported rice.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the government should make sure the imported rice reaches its intended beneficiaries.

“Authorities should be on guard against possible illegal diversion and repacking of rice to be sold to the commercial market at higher prices. The quantity of the imported grains has certainly made hoarders and profiteers on the lookout anew for their illegal activities,” said Pangilinan.

Repacking of NFA rice to be sold as commercial rice has been a persistent bane to government efforts to maintain a steady supply of affordable rice in the market.

Pangilinan condemned the illegal business practice, saying such manipulation of rice stocks results in “lack of supply, higher prices, and hungry Filipinos.” (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)

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