As the National Food Authority await replenishment of its stocks, rice millers and traders continue to deliver rice sold at P39 per kilogram to Metro Manila and other markets across the country.
This undertaking is part of a program dubbed Tulong sa Bayan caravan, a joint project of the Office of the President, the Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (GRECON), the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains), and NFA.
Rice millers traders from Isabela in Region 2 were able to deliver 2,450 bags of rice from April 30 to May 4. These rice stocks were distributed in various markets in Cavite, Malabon, Valenzuela City, and Tondo. Last April 24, a group of millers from Isabela delivered 14,000 bags of rice in Metro Manila markets. The deliveries are part of the 100,000 bags committed by Isabela Rice Millers Group.
Meanwhile, rice millers from Bulacan also participated in the Tulong sa Bayan caravan by delivering 3,950 bags of rice to various rice outlets in the province. The deliveries will be brought to rice retail outlets in the municipalities of Baliuag, Norzagaray, Malolos, Sta. Maria, Paombong, Pandi, Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Bustos, and Guiguinto.
In Region VI, rice millers were able to deliver 725 bags as their commitment to the program. This rice was distributed in various areas in the region including Aklan, 130 bags; Antique, 17 bags; Capiz, 235; Iloilo, 328 bags; and Negros Occidental, 15 bags.
Rice imported by the NFA from Thailand and Vietnam will start arriving during the last week of May after a successful Government to Government (G2G) procurement for the 250,000 metric tons of rice held last May 4. The NFA assures that the provision of cheap rice to our local consumers will continue with the arrival of NFA stocks/imported rice by the end of May. The imported rice will be sold at P32 and P27 per kilogram.
Article Source: National Food Authority