More Metro Manila consumers prefer NFA rice

Could this be an indicator of hard times?

But more consumers in Metro Manila prefer to buy the cheaper government rice, as sales of the edible grains increased in over 20 major markets in the metropolis last week.

According to the monitoring team of the National Food Authority, the public markets where sales of the NFA rice have increased included New Parañaque, New Las Piñas, New Alabang, New Muntinlupa, New Poblacion Muntinlupa, Mabuhay in South District and Bambang, Arranque, Central, Quinta, Pavia, Wagas, Pritil in Tondo, Luzon, Presidential, Muñoz, Litex, Commonwealth, and Lupang Pangako.

NFA Administrator Gregorio Tan said more consumers patronize the P16 and P18 per kilo rice of the food agency, while he noted the 87 percent accomplishment of the NFA in the distribution of the government rice for the last week of August. The rate translates to 146, 265 metric tons of NFA rice distributed nationwide.

"This could be due to the affordability of our rice as well as its accessibility," Tan said.

At this point, Tan assured sufficient rice supply in the markets of various municipalities in Metro Manila. He pledged continued efforts to make the low-priced rice of the government available to the people," underscoring the effectiveness of the government’s food security program," especially on rice.

"This way, we help (the people) cope with the effects of the recent increased in fuel prices," Tan said.

"The NFA assures that the stable rice situation in Metro Manila is reflective of the general situation elsewhere in the country," he also said.

Since the start of the year, total rice distribution is placed at 1.017 million metric tons, which is higher by 18 percent than last year’s rice distribution in the same period. – Katherine Adraneda