NFA information officer Ernie Lariosa said the agency regularly deploys its enforcement team to check on the steady availability of this staple, as a means of ensuring its price remains stable throughout.
The supply movement of NFA rice has been monitored so that the product would reach its intended beneficiaries and not diverted and sold as commercial rice, in which case it would drive the price up, he said.
One of the ways to keep the price at its standard level is the continuing distribution of rice to accredited retail outlets in the region, Lariosa said as he called on the public also to be vigilant and help the agency in its monitoring efforts.
"We have a monitoring task force for that matter but anybody can also help the agency by simply reporting to the nearest NFA office any legitimate and observable complaint about government rice," he said.
Lariosa said that aside from diversion of stocks, scrupulous grains retailers have been engaging in activities in violation of the Philippine Grains Standardization Program.
Some violations are the absence of NFA license, the non-display of price tags, short weighing, unauthorized possession of NFA rice, selling rice and its by-products using the ganta or other measurement systems, non-painting of rice boxes with the required white color, and the use of unauthorized containers for rice on display.
Lariosa said those caught committing any of these offenses will be meted with administrative fines or suspension of their license depending on the number of violations committed. - Jasmin R. Uy