Plans to abolish NFA
Apart from NFA, the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority are also reverted back to the Agriculture department. The National Irrigation Administration's status, however, will be determined by a Senate bill.
LOOK: Cabinet officials present during last night's meeting. Evasco not seen in any of the photos. @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews
— Maureen Simeon (@maureensimeon) April 16, 2018
Photos from DA Secretary Emmanuel Pinol @SEFPinol Official Facebook page pic.twitter.com/ClzhHwfeq0
President Rodrigo Duterte removes Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco from the National Food Authority Council. He also reverts the NFA back to the Department of Agriculture. The president made the decision last night during a meeting with Cabinet officials and industry stakeholders.
A source privy to the matter says Evasco is automatically no longer a member of the council as the NFA has been placed back under the Agriculture department. The same source adds that the Development Bank of the Philippines, an NFA council member, asked to be out while the Department of Social Welfare and Development will be a new member.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is expected to give an official announcement about the matter. — with Maureen Simeon
President Rodrigo Duterte removes Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco from the National Food Authority Council. He also reverts the NFA back to the Department of Agriculture. The president made the decision last night during a meeting with Cabinet officials and industry stakeholders. — with Maureen Simeon
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez says the House may hold hearings towards the abolition of the National Food Authority Council.
"Personally, I think we don't need such as council. We already have an NFA administrator. Now, if he would only do his job I don't think we would have any problem (on rice supply)," Alvarez says in a press statement.
The Palace earlier barred NFA Administrator Jason Aquino from making any more statements on how much rice the NFA has in stock, saying his previous comments may have caused panic.
The NFA Council earlier this week said the grains agency had just 0.35 days' worth of subsidized rice left, a record low for the NFA
Evasco says the NFA can be abolished if the country has enough rice supply. He explains that the NFA rice inventory is now only equivalent to 0.35 days or around 200,000 rice bags. The grains agency is required to maintain stock equivalent to at least 15 days at any given time.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who heads the National Food Authority Council, says the NFA's abolition is currently being considered amid issues on rice shortage.
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