Now under NBI surveillance Cebu City stores hoarding rice?

CEBU, Philippines - Two establishments in Cebu City are under investigation for allegedly hoarding rice.

"We have checked two establishments and (they are) now subject for investigation…We gave them a chance to present their documents," said National Bureau of Investigation-7 Regional Director Max Salvador, adding due process of law is being done in the investigation.

Salvador said their operation stemmed from a Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the NBI and the National Food Authority.

For the first week of July this year he said they started their operation on hoarding, smuggling and illegal trading of rice.

Salvador said if proven true that the said establishments are into hoarding rice then they will apply for a search warrant and confiscated the rice.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, in a recent interview, said that the government has failed to reach its target of self-sufficiency in rice supply.

Meanwhile, Salvador said that he has not yet received a copy of the resolution passed by the Cebu City Council seeking their assistance to address the issue of hoarding rice and other market products.

The Cebu City Council has recently approved a resolution to crack down on hoarders of rice, garlic and other market products.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon, asked the National Food Authority, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to conduct massive inspection of warehouses in the city.

Dizon said that the consumers have the right to good quality products at affordable prices since they have the "right to basic needs which guarantees survival, adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, and sanitation."

The Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Assistant for Food and Agricultural Modernization Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan have recently spearheaded successful operations against hoarders of rice, garlic and other market products in Luzon.

With this, Dizon said that the city government should sustain the efforts of the national government's campaign against hoarders of basic commodities.

"The recent massive hoarding of rice, garlic and other products, which resulted to sudden price hikes, is detrimental to the interest of the consumers and the government must undertake strong measures to hold accountable those who engage in hoarding," he said.

He added that the public should take part in the anti-hoarding campaign by reporting to appropriate agencies should there be any warehouse or establishment having an abnormal amount of market products.

Pangilinan said illegal hoarding of NFA rice is punishable under Republic Act No. 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act Law which carries a penalty of five to 15 years of imprisonment.

Meanwhile, some members of Panaghugpong sa Kabus nga Tagadakbayan Kadamay Cebu held a rally in front of the National Food Authority-7 building yesterday to call for action against the high price of rice and those hoarding rice.

"Gusto lang namong ipaabot ang kasagmuyo sa kabus gumikan sa grabe na ka mahal sa bugas ug nag-unang palaliton," Panaghugpong-Kadamay chairman Julian Libato said.

He said that the urban poor are the primary affected parties of the price hike of basic needs, especially rice.

"Tungod aning pagsaka sa presyo sa mga palitonon labi na ang bugas, wala nami mga kabus sigurado nga makakaon og ikatulo sa usa ka adlaw," he said.

Libato said they want the government to monitor the big rice retailers that allegedly hoard rice and other market products to take advantage of price hikes.

"Maayo unta'g mahunong og palit sa dakong presyo sa bugas nga NFA sa gawas kay aduna man sad untay mga barato lang. Maayo pod unta'g imbestigahon ang nalambigit sa korupsyon sa pagpalit og bugas sa laing nasod," he said. -/BRP (FREEMAN)