NFA assures cheap rice in East Visayas fit for humans
TACLOBAN CITY—The National Food Authority in Eastern Visayas (NFA-8) has debunked claims that the rice to be sold at P20 per kilo by the government in the region is substandard or unfit for consumption.
NFA Eastern Visayas Manager May Sara Sabarre explained the stocks involved recently procured palay from local farmers and stored in NFA warehouses in key rice-producing areas, such as Alangalang, Jaro, Santa Fe and Palo towns in Leyte.
“The (accusations) are baseless. The rice that we will supply to local government units for sale at P20 per kilo is of good quality and locally sourced,” she said.
Sabarre said the slightly yellowish grains seen in the rice stock was typically due to the region’s limited drying facilities.
“Some farmers cannot dry their harvests immediately, and many of our local rice mills are still not equipped with modern sorters,” she said.
According to Sabarre, the NFA is constructing modern rice mills in Oras town, Eastern Samar, and in Alangalang town in Leyte to enhance rice quality and postharvest handling in the region. More rice mills will also be built in Northern Samar, Samar and Biliran provinces.
Vice President Sara Duterte earlier criticized the administration’s program to sell rice for P20 per kilo starting in the Visayas, saying that what may be sold is only fit for animals.
The P20-per-kilo rice program was the centerpiece of President Marcos’ 2022 campaign, symbolizing his promise to bring down food prices and improve food security.
Suspended
The program was supposed to be piloted in the Visayas starting May 1 but the Department of Agriculture decided to suspend it due to the absolute ban on election spending. The program will resume on May 13, or a day after the midterm elections.
Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre defended the government’s initiative to sell rice at P20 per kilo, assuring the public that while the cheap rice is not premium-grade, it remains fit for everyday consumption and serves the program’s goal of addressing hunger among the poor.
“Definitely, it’s not the P50-per-kilo rice we’re used to, but it’s good rice. It’s not discolored or spoiled. What matters is that it’s something people can eat. We cannot abandon those who have nothing to put on their table,” he said in a media interview on May 4.
