NFA warns rice outlets in Ilocos on violations

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The regional head of the National Food Authority warned all accredited outlets that their licenses would be revoked if they are found violating the guidelines set by the agency in selling government rice in the local market.

Director Joseph Dela Cruz, regional head of the NFA office based here, said 60 "palengke watch teams" have already been deployed to various markets in the region to monitor and apprehend those found violating rules on selling NFA rice.

The move of Dela Cruz is in consonance with the directive of President Arroyo to ensure the visibility of NFA rice in the market.

Among the violations that could lead to the revocation and confiscation of NFA accreditation and passbook includes: diversion and overpricing of NFA rice; unreasonable depletion and refusal to sell NFA rice; selling NFA rice as commercial rice; and substitution of NFA rice with inferior quality rice.

"There are about 610 NFA accredited rice outlets regionwide selling the government rice at P18.25 per kilo. The need to monitor and inspect these outlets has become imperative because of reports that some outlets are diverting and overpricing the rice due to the wide price gap between NFA rice and commercial rice at P27.00 to P30.00 per kilogram," Dela Cruz told.

To avoid rice diversion and the sale of NFA rice as commercial rice, he disclosed that his office is presently implementing the delivery of rice allocation of outlets right at their stalls in market.

"We are also repacking the rice into one and two kilogram plastic bags to easily identify NFA rice stocks," he told.

He appealed to the consumers to report immediately to the different NFA provincial offices in the region regarding the violations of any outlets in selling government rice.
Meanwhile, Dela Cruz also reported that the NFA Region I has 600 bags of rice stored in its warehouses.

In addition, another 280 bags of imported rice from Vietnam had been unloaded in Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union last April 5.

"A total of two million bags of imported rice is allocated to Region I and Cordillera region to further ensure the availability and sufficiency of rice during the lean months season starting July to September this year," Dela Cruz said.

He noted that the NFA Region I office does not only serve its four provinces but also Cordillera Region to include Baguio City and Abra.

In a related development, a ranking NFA official assured sufficient rice supply in Ilocos Sur for the next three months.

"No rice shortage in Ilocos Sur," said Engineer Fortunato Bulao, manager of the NFA provincial office based in Bantay town.