The National Food Authority must explain the alleged shortage of its rice supply, Senator Nancy Binay said, pointing out that the agency is required to keep a 15-day buffer stock.
The senator said that while it is true that rice supply is available in the market, the NFA appears to be in short supply of the NFA rice to unload in the market.
Consumers are forced to buy the more expensive commercial rice, Binay said, citing a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority that prices of regular and well-milled rice have increased by P1 to P3 per kilo in six regional centers, including Kidapawan City, Naga City and the National Capital Region.
NFA should ensure that the staple grain is available and at affordable prices, Binay said in a press statement.
NFA sells rice between P27 and P32 per kilo, while commercial rice varieties are sold from P36 to P41.
Binay also asked the Council why it chose to defer the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice despite NFA’s admission that its current buffer stock is good for only three days.
“The Council should not rely on mere projections and instead be flexible and sensitive to the needs on the ground,” she said.
Binay urged the NFA to maintain a 15-day buffer stock at any given time and 30-day buffer stock during lean season, which is usually from July to September.