NFA-Bohol investigates reports of Yolanda rice sold in market

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Well-milled rice, labeled as “Yolanda,” sparked suspicions that stocks, intended as relief for typhoon victims, landed on enterprising unscrupulous persons.

Reports had it that Yolanda rice has been spotted being sold at Cogon market in the city at P37 per kilo on the price tag.

In response to this matter raised through public affairs programs, National Food Authority (NFA)-Bohol manager Peng Evasco assured the public that the agency will conduct an investigation.

The NFA will verify if the rice stocks, labeled as Yolanda, were among the relief goods intended for the typhoon victims or were intentionally labeled as a marketing ploy to catch public attention.

Evasco clarified that it would be unjustifiable to convert rice supply intended for disaster survivors into commercial stock, as she cited that the DSWD purchased rice from the NFA for relief operations.

The DSWD had withdrawn 650,000 bags of rice for Yolanda victims in Region 8 alone. Earlier, NFA national officials already clarified that no spoiled rice had been supplied to DSWD for relief operations.

Meanwhile, Evasco confirmed that 10,000 bags from the Thailand rice donated by China had been allotted for earthquake survivors in Bohol. The donation was coursed through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice (APTER).

In a turn-over ceremony, representatives of the People’s Republic of China gave the stocks to government  officials here for distribution to affected families in the 17 hardest-hit towns of Bohol. — (FREEMAN)