Abner Francisco

The National Food Authority (NFA) admitted they have around 6 million bags of rice in their warehouses that are at risk of rotting if not immediately sold to the public.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson told Brigada News FM Manila that these rice supplies are stocked in their warehouses nationwide with ages ranging from one month to six months from milling date.

Lacson said much as they want these rice supplies sold at lower price to the public, but the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL)prevents them from doing so.

Under the RTL, the regulatory power of NFA to sell rice at lower prices has been removed.

Lacson said that when RTL was passed in 2019, the mandate of their office has simply been reduced into just a “buffer-stocking agency” where they can only sell rice when there is calamity.

The law also limits their selling to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the local government units (LGUs).

The NFA official fears that if the law is not amended the rice in their warehouses might rot if not disposed of soon while many Filipinos are in dire need of cheaper rice.

Lacson urged the lawmakers to amend the RTL and allow them to sell rice at lower prices without any preconditions.

” Pinapaalam namin sa publiko na may impending problem tayo, impending problem na pwede pong solusyon sa mataas na presyo ng bigas sa merkado ngayon. Kumbaga kapag nailabas to ng NFA, panalo lahat, panalo ang consumer, panalo ang mga magsasaka kasi mababakante ang bodega namin makakapamili tayo ng maraming palay.” Lacson said.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said that if only the NFA is allowed to sell rice in the market they can sell their stock as low as P30 per kilo.

The prices for regular and well milled rice based on the DA’s monitoring in the market ranged from P45 per kilo but the supply is limited while in some areas the price reached up to P60 per kilo.

Published Date: December 17, 2024