Mandaue to avail of NFA rice loan for disaster needs

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City will avail of the rice loan program of the National Food Authority (NFA) to distribute it to residents when the need arises, such as when disasters strike.

A copy of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) has already been forwarded to the City Council for scrutiny and that anytime soon the city through Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing and a representative of the NFA shall sign it.

City Social Welfare Officer Violeta Cavada said the NFA cannot give rice stocks to the city without the MOA. The MOA is applicable for three years congruent with the mayor's term.

"A MOA with the NFA is necessary so we can immediately withdraw rice from their warehouse in times of emergency," Cavada said.

Under the agreement, certain terms and conditions for withdrawal of rice and payment of stock shall be followed based on the NFA Consumers' Price as indicated in the latest Selling Price Bulletin.

LGUs can avail of 5,000 bags for the provincial government, 2,000 bags for the city government, and 1,000 bags for the municipal government, or the rice equivalent of their respective funds appropriated for the rice loan program. (FREEMAN)