NFA, groups to keep monitoring rice prices

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) it will continue to work with groups that have been helping the agency monitor rice prices.

“We are grateful for the support of concerned groups and individuals who have partnered with us to monitor rice prices. The tips we have received have helped us to identify which areas require more supplies and which do not,” NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said yesterday.

Dalisay noted that rice prices have remained stable at the onset of the lean season.

Rice inflation has fallen to 2 percent from a high of 14 percent in August 2014. A kilo of regular milled rice now retails for P37.30, P1.60 lower than the average prices in January.

Dalisay said an NFA project called “Bantay Bigas” has allowed the NFA to coordinate with all the other stakeholders including, but not limited to, farmers, millers, consumer groups, retailers, local government units and civil society.

“The NFA has personnel but like most government agencies, our resources are limited. With volunteer groups like Kaya Natin, we’re able to cover more areas and have more eyes and ears on the ground,” he said.

The project has encouraged other civil society groups, youth groups and local government units to participate in efforts to ensure that rice remains affordable and accessible to every Filipino.

“Such programs are part of the NFA’s reform agenda, aptly named BIGAS, which hopes to involve the community and other sectors in NFA’s various activities,” Dalisay added.