Bong Reblando
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) has assured adequate rice supply for Sarangani and General Santos City, although it noted increases in prices of other basic commodities.
"We have sufficient rice in our inventory. Our infusion of 10 percent into the market continues to curb the price to shot up beyond normal level. But when figures rise to over 20 percent, that’s scary," said Gerry Palomo, NFA provincial manager.
In his report to regional director Tony dela Cruz and Assistant Regional Chief Diane Silva, Palomo said his office found out that the price of ordinary rice increased from R20 to R23 per kilogram, while the price of premium rice also went up from R24 to R26 per kilo.
"The rise in the price of rice of 10 to 15 percent that is due to the high world market price and increase in prices of oil-based Urea fertilizer and boat freight is a normal chain reaction in the market," Palomo explained.
He revealed NFA holds 132,000 bags of Vietnam rice at the agency’s warehouse in the regional office here, which is enough to cope with the daily infusion designed to stabilize prices.
This current inventory, Palomo announced, would be bolstered by the arrival of a shipload of imported Vietnam rice of 134,000 bags on March 20 to ensure the required volume for food security, buffer stock and stabilizer.
NFA distributes rice to the agency’s outlets for Sarangani and General Santos City through 180 Tindahan Natin (TN), 26 Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGP) and accredited rice retailers in the area.
Under the program, on a weekly basis, TN outlets supply 3,000 bags of rice, while BGP sells 630 bags and Integrated BGP 560 bags.
On top of these stocks, Palomo also revealed that the agency holds 74,000 bags of iron fortified rice for the Food for School Program of the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which in effect would lessen the demand.
"Sarangani gets the bulk of this iron fortified rice for its 28,000 students who are supplied with a kilogram of rice for each student for 35 days out of the DepEd and DSWD quotals," Palomo added.
The bulk of rice supply in the market usually comes from farmer cooperatives, private rice millers and traders, especially from South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces supplying ordinary and premium quality rice.
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