NFA assures availability of low-priced, quality rice

The National Food Authority has assured the public that low-priced but quality NFA rice will always be available as the agency implements a new rice distribution scheme.

The distribution scheme aims to make NFA rice more accessible and affordable to consumers. The new strategy will tap the assistance of retailers’ organizations nationwide in sellling NFA rice. It also includes the conduct of mobile sales to retailers as well as the reactivation and accreditation of more NFA stationary stores.

In January, sales of NFA rice reached 992,708 bags equivalent to 57 percent of the month’s target of 1.7 million bags. The agency accounts for 16 percent of the total rice traded in Metro Manila and six percent of the total rice supply in the country.

NFA Administrator Arthur C. Yap this week authorized the agency’s regional and provincial officials to conduct meetings with the officers of the local chapters of the Confederation of Grains Retailers Associations of the Philippines, Inc. (GRECON) to request their assistance in selling NFA rice with priority given to outlets inside the markets.

In a directive, Yap ordered the reactivation of the Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGP) outlets. While the BGPs were originally NFA dedicated outlets, under the present distribution scheme, commercial rice can be sold side by side with NFA rice.

Field officials have also been authorized to conduct on-the-spot licensing to make more convenient the accreditation and operation of rice outlets.

"We will also accredit additional stationary stores to sell rice at P16 per kg," Yap cited.

Mobile sales will be conducted for retailers in major and minor markets nationwide free of charge. Under a similar arrangement, rice will also be delivered to BGP outlets and accredited individual retailers with outlets inside the markets as well as Tindahan ni Gloria sa Barangays (TGBs) operated by local government officials.

Partnership between the NFA and the Tindahan ni Gloria and the rolling stores will also be reactivated. Other interested parties are also encouraged to forge agreements with the food agency to be able to operate rice outlets.

Yap also cited the revival of other strategies to sell regular-milled and fortified rice. These include the institutional sales to government and private offices and sales through private convenience stores, groceries and department stores.