CEBU, Philippines - Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Teofisto “TG” Guingona said under the new administration, the National Food Authority will no longer import rice, contending that there’s too much corruption in its importation.
“Grabe na kaayo kabusog ang mga buaya nganha. Undangun na na nato ang rice importation made by NFA,” Guingona, a congressman from Bukidnon, said in a press conference.
Guingona cited that based on the 2005-2006 report of the Commission on Audit, NFA allegedly paid P85 million for the 110,000 sacks of rice that never arrived in the country.
“Hindi dumating ang bigas na yan pero binabayaran pa rin ng gobyerno. That is the report of COA, an official government report,” Guingona said.
He stressed that the country is also importing rice that is way below the standards.
“Mas ubos ang kalidad sa atong bugas nga niabot kaysa gibayran. NFA should stop importing rice. Tambok na gyud ang mga buaya nganha,” he said.
Guingona added that rice importation must be left to farmer’s cooperatives.
The NFA was created through Presidential Decree No. 4 with the mission of promoting the integrated growth and development of grains industry covering rice, corn, feed grains and other grains like sorghum, mongo, and peanut. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM
(FREEMAN NEWS)