ILOILO City – To address the spike in rice prices, the National Food Authority (NFA) is set to release more of its rice stocks in Bacolod City, Iloilo City, and Negros Occidental, including its 32 municipalities. Extraordinary price hikes have been reported these areas.
Jasmin Lintag, regional manager of NFA, confirmed that the Bacolod City government is ready to purchase 8,000 bags of government rice.
“The Bacolod City government will initially buy NFA rice through consignment at P33 per kilogram. They can then resell it at a suggested retail price of P33 to P35 per kilogram to avoid undermining the purpose of the food security emergency program,” Lintag explained in an interview with Panay News.
The rice distribution falls under the food security emergency declaration, which allows the NFA to sell rice stocks, including non-aged stocks, to local government units (LGUs), other government agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) at select Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites.
This program aims to provide consumers with affordable rice while increasing the purchasing capacity of local farmers for the country’s rice buffer stock.
According to Lintag, the NFA’s role is to distribute rice to identified recipient LGUs as designated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), which serves as a conduit. Apart from Bacolod City, Iloilo City, and Negros Occidental have also been identified as recipients based on the significant spike in rice prices in these areas.
“The main objective is to reduce prices, as these areas have seen extraordinary rice price increases,” Lintag added.
For Iloilo City, Lintag said the local government is only awaiting the completion of documentary requirements to receive 50,000 bags of rice per month from the NFA. Similarly, Negros Occidental will be issued 8,000 bags per month.
When asked about the possibility of expanding the program to other provinces in Western Visayas, Lintag clarified that the list of recipient areas comes from the DA, based on areas experiencing extraordinary price hikes.
However, residents from areas not included in the program may still buy rice from LGUs in the identified areas, where rice is being sold at P33 to P35 per kilogram.
Quality assurance was also emphasized, with Lintag assuring that the rice sold will be freshly milled. “Yes, the rice is freshly milled. It cannot be old stock,” she confirmed.
Lintag further explained that NFA rice is continuously milled by 27 private millers, ensuring a steady supply of fresh rice.
Regarding rice stocks, Lintag stated that the NFA currently holds 52,000 bags in various warehouses across the region, including a buffer stock for emergencies and natural calamities.
“We are ready to respond to any urgent needs,” she said./PN
