The first tranche of 250,000 metric tons of imported rice is expected to arrive by the end of July to augment national stock, according to state-run National Food Authority.
NFA spokesperson Marietta Ablaza said in a text message the NFA was just waiting for the NFA Council resolution approval of the terms of reference for the importation.
“We are still waiting for resolution so that we could immediately publish the bidding,” said Ablaza.
The National Food Security Council earlier recommended the immediate importation of 250,000 MT of rice to beef up NFA’s buffer stocks for the lean season.
This year’s importation will be done through a government to private scheme to ensure that supply is adequate in the lean months of July to September.
Instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts, private suppliers from participating countries are now allowed to participate in the bidding, making the whole process covered by the Government Procurement Reform Act unlike the current G2G scheme.
The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council requires the NFA to maintain a rice buffer stock good for 15 days at any given time and 30 days at the onset of the lean months. The country’s daily consumption rate requirement is currently at 32,720 metric tons or 654,600 bags.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of May 1, the country’s total rice stocks inventory was 3.21 million MT, or 12.9 percent lower than 3.69 million metric tons in the same period last year.
The total rice inventory last month would be sufficient for 95 days. Stocks held by households would be enough for 44 days, while those in commercial warehouses were adequate for 43 days. Those in NFA depositories was only good for 8 days.
“Per council’s decision, NFA importation will arrive in tranches. The first tranche will arrive by end of July and the rest in August to September. We are stretching the NFA rice but priority is given to rice needs of DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], PNRC [Philippine National Red Cross] and LGUs [local government units] during calamities,” said Ablaza.