P.2-M 'hot' rice seized

SANTIAGO CITY – Two jeeps loaded with sacks of rice believed to be part of the buffer stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA) were intercepted along the National Highway in Kalinga on Monday, the NFA regional office here said.

Authorities said the vehicles carrying 180 sacks of rice worth around P200,000 were apprehended at Bulanao village, Tabuk City while their shippers were allegedly trying to smuggle them to Quezon town in neighboring Isabela province. 

“After I received a text (about the incident), I immediately (ordered) the NFA Kalinga to cancel or suspend the allocation of these three (NFA accredited rice retailers),” said Danilo Pastrana, NFA director for Cagayan Valley.

Pastrana said an investigation into the incident will be conducted to prevent a repeat of such cases. 

The seized sacks of rice, now in the custody of the authorities, were reportedly part of the government’s buffer stocks to ensure adequate supply for residents in the north-central Cordillera and neighboring areas this time of the year when demand for rice is expected to rise.  

The NFA rice, all originated from Kalinga-based government accredited Tindahan Natin operators or also known as Tindahan ni Gloria, was to be delivered to a private warehouse in Isabela, purportedly to have them repacked and sold at a commercial price.