NFA warns of ‘plot’ to create artificial rice shortage

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) has given assurance that the country has sufficient rice supply and there is no reason for prices to move up, which might result in public confusion.

The agency gave this assurance after it received reports that some groups and individuals are allegedly again planning to launch a disinformation campaign and ultimately create a scenario of rice shortage.

In a statement, NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez said the supposed plan also includes distribution of thousands of sacks of rotten rice in various public markets using the NFA label, so as to put the agency in a bad light.

Estoperez described the supposed move as like hitting two birds with one stone because the saboteurs could now dispose off their old rice stocks while also discrediting the agency’s leadership.

The alleged plan was reportedly hatched to divert public attention away from some personalities and Bureau of Customs officials and employees who were implicated in recently exposed rice smuggling operations, he said.

Estoperez said that just last December, some 450,000 sacks of rice or an equivalent of 22,500 metric tons (MT) arrived from Vietnam.

The shipment was part of the 500,000 MT that was bought from Vietnam under the government-to-government agreement, to ensure that the country has enough rice supply following the series of natural calamities during the latter part of 2013, he said.

The remaining 380,000 MT is expected to arrive during the first quarter.

Estoperez said the NFA’s rice stocks are all of the highest quality because the agency regularly monitors these stocks based on regulations and standards.

He added that the agency’s quality assurance officers and internal auditing department regularly monitor and assess stocks stored in warehouses.

“Our stocks need to pass our standards. If our monitoring team determines that they are of inferior quality, warehouse managers will be accountable to us and we will not release these stocks,” he said.

Estoperez said the NFA would go after all those found trying to sabotage the agency’s operations and deal with themto the full extent of the law.