The task force was created as early as April following reports on the diversion of NFA rice by the agency’s partners in the private sector.
The NFA, according to Abad, has sought the involvement of the private sector in expanding the operation of the rolling stores nationwide.
Aside from rice, the rolling stores also sell sugar, coffee milk, cooking oil, and noodles. It has also recently included over-the-counter herbal medicine following an agreement with the Department of Health.
In the provinces, the NFA’s partners in the following store operations are the local government units. In Metro Manila, most of the stores are being operated by the Metro Manila Development Authority or MMDA.
There are now a total of 1,495 Tindahan ni Gloria Labandera rolling stores operating nationwide. Of this number 1,331 units are being run by the NFA’s participating partners from the private sector.
In Metro Manila, the NFA operates 30 units including three assigned at Cavite. A total of 212 units are being run by the participating partners.
With the expansion of the NFA’s rolling store operation, Abad reported that cumulative sales for the past 10 months zoomed to P3.2 billion as the rolling stores served some 18.5 million customers all over the country.
He said the reported irregularity in the operation of rolling stores had prompted the agency to start purging month erring partners. The NFA had also suspended accreditation of operators found violating NFA rules and regulations on the rolling store partnership.
In addition to suspension of accreditation and purging of rolling store partners, the agency’s field officials had also been given specific instructions not to issue stocks to partners unless reports and requirements are submitted and complied with, including a one-week advance notice of rolling store deployment schedules, certificate of appearance from the barangay chairman and officials, and compliance to labeling requirements such as bill boards, painting of code and other identifying marks.
As an added precaution that TGL RS will really serve the poor by giving them access to rice and other food items at affordable price, Abad said the NFA would also tap the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as well as the local government units in monitoring the rolling stores operation.
The DSWD and LGUs, according to Abad, have direct knowledge of the poor constituents needing primary services being offered by the TGL RS and they are in a better position to assess the needs of the people belonging to the marginalized sector of society.