Amid reports of depleted rice supply in the market, the National Food Authority on Monday assured consumers in the National Capital Region of an alternative source of good quality rice at P39 per kilo.
In a joint project of the Office of the President, the NFA, Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines Inc. and the Philippine Confederation of Grains Association, the government yesterday opened pilot service outlets dubbed “Tulong sa Bayan” to sell low-priced commercial rice in some markets Baclaran, Parañaque City and Quezon City.
The other markets in Metro Manila will start selling the same variety and price of rice on April 18.
James Magbanua, Grecon national president, said his members, who are also NFA-accredited retailers, may also sell direct to the consumers.
He, however, said they might limit the sale of the rice to only three kilos per customer per day to enable them stretch the rice suply to serve as many consumers as possible.
He vowed to back the government and help stabilize the prices of rice until NFA rice becomes available in the market.
Rice supply from Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya will be delivered direct to the retailers or through the NFA warehouses and storage facilities in the metro, he said.
According to Rebecca Olarte of the NFA public affairs department, about 10 trailer trucks from Nueva Ecija were delivered yesterday to NFA warehouses in the Visayas for distribution to accredited retailers, while some five to eight other trucks will deliver direct to designated market destinations.
The NFA lauded the rice traders, millers and farmers to extend aid in helping the government ensure the presence of affordable commercial rice while waiting for replenishment of the NFA rice buffer stocks.