Administrator Lito Banayo has revamped the National Food Authority (NFA) by transferring all regional directors to new assignments, save for four who retained their previous posts.

Banayo issued the order last Friday, August 6, but the agency said a copy was supposed to be released on Tuesday.

NFA public affairs chief Rex Estoperez told the Manila Bulletin that the revamp was made following a management audit of the food agency.

Estoperez stressed the overhaul was undertaken to make the agency more efficient.

The revamp was made following disclosures by Banayo himself that the country was “swimming in rice” and that NFA-owned and leased warehouses were “filled to the rafters” with grain.

More rice stocks are coming in from Vietnam just as farmers are starting to work for the main harvest season.

Banayo’s revelations sparked demands by urban poor organizations that the rice be distributed for free, but the NFA administrator refused and instead cut a deal with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs) to buy excess grain at P23.50 per kilo.

Estoperez said Banayo is still awaiting the results of an audit to determine whether it would be wise to pursue the iron fortification program for rice or not.

Herculano “Joji” Co, president of the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains), said the program was worthwhile since it has contributed much to the reduction of anemia among pupils and nursing mothers.

Undersecretary Bernardita Flores of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) also batted for the program's continuation since it helped reduce malnutrition.