NFA denies city’s request to procure rice for Angkas drivers

CEBU, Philippines —  The National Food Authority did not allow the Cebu City government to procure at least 10,000 sacks of rice intended for Angkas and motorcycles-for-hire drivers who are affected by the Supreme Court Order suspending Angkas operation nationwide.

In a letter, Ma. Belen Barbanida, NFA provincial manager, informed Mayor Tomas Osmeña that they will only accommodate rice purchases during calamities.

“…Please be informed that NFA Council Chairman and DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has directed the NFA Management not to supply the rice requirements of politicians nor sell rice to Local Government Units unless there is a declaration of a State of Calamity,” a portion of the letter December 20, 2018 stated.

To recall, earlier in December last year, Osmeña asked NFA to allow the city government buy sacks of rice as city’s assistance to the affected drivers.

With this, Mayor’s Executive Assistant Francisco Fernandez told The FREEMAN that they will proceed with the bidding process to procure rice.

Fernandez said the city will utilize the P15 million approved budget by the City Council which was charged under Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) funds.

Fernandez hopes that the city government can distribute the sacks of rice to qualified Angkas and motorcycles-for-hire drivers as soon as possible.

Based on their records, there are 4,000 Angkas drivers and 2,500 profiled habalhabal drivers in Cebu City.

In a separate interview, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) head Ronaldo Malacora said they scheduled the opening of public bidding on January 29.

All interested bidders can submit their bidding documents to the technical working group (TWG) for review.  — MBG (FREEMAN)