NFA: Better quality rice set to hit markets soon

The National Food Authority plans to pull out the NFA rice which costs P18.25 a kilo from the market and to have this replaced by rice of better quality, which would probably cost P25-P28 per kilo.

Edgar Diez, NFA information officer, said the plan is to replace the kind of rice they are delivering to public markets with rice of whole grains mixed with five percent to 15 percent broken grains which is nearly of the same quality with the commercial rice sold.

He said they would concentrate distribution of subsidized rice to depressed areas through the Tindahan Natin outlets that have reached 216 already, all operational; while there are still 84 under process, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These are located at different depressed places within Cebu alone.

“We are trying to protect the poorest of the poor who need the subsidy the most,” Diez said.

Diez confirmed those in need are ensured of benefiting from the subsidy if they will buy from the Tindahan Natin because purchasing there is done in a systematic manner.

Operators have a list of those who can buy on a set schedule and in the right amount of rice that can be bought. Diez said five kilograms per week per family could be availed by the beneficiaries.

“This is to prevent cuing and one way of lessening the losses we’ve incurred from the amount we are subsidizing to per kilo of NFA rice,” he added.

Concentrating the subsidized rice in Tindahan Natin outlets ensures that the needy will have access to affordable rice, said DSWD regional director Teodulo Romo, Jr. who agreed with the plan of the NFA.

The plan would probably be implemented next month, Diez told The FREEMAN. But this is tentative and due until further notice from the NFA central office. — Jessica Ann Pareja, UP intern/MEEV