In Bohol: NFA rice sabotaged?

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines --- The National Food Authority here will investigate reports that cheaper government rice has been either sold as commercial rice or mixed with commercial rice.

This issued cropped up when NFA rice unexplainably became unavailable in towns of Loboc and Sevilla and in Cogon market in this city where Bigasan sa Palengke (Bigasan)-the only authorized outlets of NFA-are supposedly sold.

People in these towns, where there is no more NFA rice in the market, have suspected that the government rice has been "hoarded in cahoots with rice retailers."

Of the 47 towns in the province, only nine have no Bigasan outlet, according to NFA-Bohol manager Peng Evasco, adding that there are similar outlets in the public markets in Brgys. Manga and Dao, and in Justicor.

So far, however, no formal complaint has reached the NFA office about the unavailability of NFA rice, but Evasco called on the consumers to bring samples of rice they bought if they suspected this is mixed with NFA rice, so that the store where they got it will be investigated.

Evasco also explained that distribution of NFA rice is through the Bigasan only and a schedule is being followed by outlet operators in purchasing the stocks from the NFA, which is a day before the market day in their respective areas.

One or three Bigasan outlets are located in major markets or the public markets in the towns and the city, he said, but some operators may have become inactive, especially last year, thinking perhaps that it would be more profitable to engage in commercial rice trading.

Evasco said there was a time when the market has plenty of rice stocks, such as when traders settled for the more profitable smuggled rice, which has not been subjected to price control, unlike on NFA rice. During harvest season also, Bigasan operators become inactive due to the high volume of stocks that could drive prices down, she said.

Evasco also clarified that there is no shortage of rice supply. It's just that the prices are high for some varieties, which is expected during lean season. If commercial rice traders buy palay at P22 to P23 per kilo, the price of the milled rice would be at least P44 per kilo.

She further said the NFA will be inspecting for potential traders for accreditation in the towns where there is no Bigasan outlet. While NFA encourages traders to engage in Bigasan operations, it would also check if the accredited ones continue to purchase stocks from the agency to maximize their accreditation.

NFA rice is sold at P25 per kilo to Bigasan operators, who in turn retail it at P27 per kilo. (FREEMAN)