The Grains Retailers’ Confederation of the Philippines Inc. (GRECON) today expressed its full support and commitment to the National Food Authority (NFA) in its effort to make rice available and affordable across the country.
GRECON National President Jaime O. Magbanua met with NFA Administrator Jason Aquino to pledge GRECON’s commitment to the food agency. This comes after reports that NFA rice is no longer available in the market.
The NFA Administrator admitted that because of the agency’s low inventory, its distribution in the market has to be recalibrated. Priority is given to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other relief agencies of the government.
He asked GRECON to assist the NFA in explaining to the public the scarcity of NFA rice. It is estimated that there are about 6-10 million Filipinos who buy NFA rice.
GRECON is the biggest grains business organization in the Philippines. Its rice retailer members are among NFA’s accredited sellers of low-priced good quality rice at P27/kilogram of regular-milled rice and P32/kg of well-milled rice.
Aquino assured that once its stocks are replenished, NFA will resume its distribution to its accredited retailers.
During the meeting, Magbanua vowed to police their own ranks and help in ensuring the stability of rice supply and prices in the market. “As part of our social responsibility, any price increase resulting from the new tax reform law, will be limited to the barest minimum,” Magbanua said.
A commitment of support was signed between GRECON and the NFA after the meeting.
Meanwhile, the NFA assured there is no rice shortage in the country. Although NFA’s total inventory of about 1.2 million bags may only last for two days, the country’s total rice stocks of 2.7 million metric tons will last for 86 days.
While there is a standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons of rice from the NFA Council, no formal instruction has been issued to NFA to proceed with the importation. At the moment, with its limited stocks, the NFA is focused on supplying rice for relief operations and remote areas like island provinces.
Article Source: National Food Authority