Grecon wants to help bid, auction NFA rice

Grains retailers in Central Visayas want to help the National Food Authority ensure rice supply by pushing for the implementation of the program that allows them to participate in the bidding and auction of rice.

Teresa Alegado, national president of the Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines, Inc. said the NFA was able to assure all-year round price stability and rice security for several years now through its numerous programs in stabilization and distribution but incurred losses in billions of pesos.

Alegado further said that it is proper for GRECON to come in citing that their role in the industry is to help in the distribution of NFA rice through their accredited retailing outlets.

"This is one program which, though relies heavily in importation, is nonetheless very effective in addressing our immediate needs," Alegado stressed.

 However, Alegado said the high-end rice and low-end rice are not the problems in the market, it is the middle-priced varieties that need to be addressed as majority of the consuming public belong to the lower and middle segments of the society.

"We hope this proposition can lead to the implementation of programs that will be more responsive and effective to the needs of the consumers and way within the means of NFA," Alegado added.  – Jose P. Sollano/BRP