MANILA, Philippines - Despite the onslaught of Typhoon Ruby, the National Food Authority (NFA) sees no immediate need to import rice for buffer stocking or typhoon relief operations.
Food security chief Francis Pangilinan yesterday said existing supplies are sufficient for relief operations, hence there is no need to exercise the standby authority granted by the NFA Council for the importation of 500,000 metric tons (MT) for this year.
“For this year, we have no more need to import,” he told reporters at the NFA head office in Quezon City. “ We have enough supply.”
The state grains-procurement agency, however, is already preparing for filling the minimum 90-day buffer stocking requirement for next year.
NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said the NFA, on advice of the NFA Council, is considering the importation of between 500,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons next year for buffer stocking.
“This is the volume advised by the NFA Council based on the expected production shortfall for the next year,” he said. “We are still identifying the mode of procurement for this.”
An importation volume of 600,000 metric tons, he said, would allow for a 120-day buffer stocking volume.
After the massive destruction caused by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, the NFA Council immediately authorized the importation of 500,000 metric tons through government-to-government procurement. The aggregate volume arrived between December 2013 and the end of the first quarter of 2014.
This was followed by two other importation for buffer stocking.
For typhoon Ruby relief operations, the NFA has positioned 71,848 50-kilogram bags of rice for distribution to local government units in Regions IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, National Capital Region, Caraga and Region XI.
To prevent mishaps in the distribution of NFA rice in affected areas, the agency has coordinated with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces for the formation of composite teams that would keep peace and order in distribution sites.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda last year, a mob forced their way into a warehouse owned by the NFA, causing the structure to collapse and several people to be killed in the mayhem.
The NFA Council is composed of the heads of the departments of Finance, Trade and Industry; state-run financial institutions Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank; Bangko Sentral and the National Economic and Development Authority.
The farmers sector is also represented in the council.