‘NFA rice supply, price stable’

CEBU, Philippines — The price and supply of NFA rice in Central Visayas remain stable.

The National Food Authority made the assurance amid surging prices of goods in the first nine months of the year.

“There is no shortage of NFA rice stocks in the region. The rice supply is still sufficient,” said NFA-7 Assistant Regional Director Diocano Alojado Jr.

Alojado, in yesterday’s Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) meeting at the Capitol, said the region secured a buffer stock of 413,000 bags of NFA rice stored in different warehouses.

Next month, the region is expected to receive additional 750,000 bags of NFA rice that would last for 100 days.

With additional rice supply, Alojado said the price of NFA rice might decrease in the following weeks.

He, however, said the present problem lies with “market participation” and slow accreditation of distributors or retailers.

He said the distribution of NFA rice has been affected by the lack of accredited retailers all over the region.

“Gusto naming mapadami ang market injection, gusto namin na walang leakages, kasi doon kami tinitingnan eh, dapat mapunta talaga sa target consumer namin,” he said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who also sits as LPCC chairman, urged local government units to help monitor the rice situation in their respective areas.

Cooperatives, on the other hand, are encouraged to apply for accreditation so they would be allowed to distribute rice to consumers.

In a separate development, the prices of vegetables and fruits in Cebu have increased.

This is because most supplies of farm products are from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Davide said the farm products from Mantalongon in Dalaguete town and other areas are insufficient.

Moreover, the Department of Energy-Visayas told the council about 35 price movements in fuel this year.

Gasoline and diesel prices were raised by P10.72 and P10.80, respectively. — KBQ (FREEMAN)