DSWD warns public on fake rice access cards

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo assured the public yesterday that imported rice is safe and has passed through strict international and local quarantine standards and health screenings.

Mrs. Arroyo made the assurance before local reporters in Negros Oriental as she also praised the people in the province for “not just being rice-eaters but also corn and kamote (sweet potatoes) eaters.”

The President encouraged the public to partake of rice substitutes since “the whole world is experiencing a shortage.”

The environmental group Greenpeace earlier expressed fears that rice imported from the US had been contaminated with an unauthorized genetically-modified organism (GMO). The group called on the government to stop selling the 44,000 metric tons of long grain rice imported from the US two months ago.

Mrs. Arroyo said the rice purchased from the US was made under an assistance program.

She added the bulk of rice imports came from neighboring countries that are party to international quarantine agreements.

“So that (quarantine agreement) is a health-related requirement and our NFA (National Food Authority), in the contract to buy and sell, we specify the kind of fumigant, the dosage and method to comply with the requirements of the World Health Organization,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said concerned government agencies are aware of the possible entry of GMO rice.

“I don’t think they import any crops or any cereals that could cause harm to those who consume them,” Bunye said.

Philippine agriculture officials are reportedly negotiating for another 100,000 metric tons of rice from the US. The imported US rice is being sold by the NFA in markets at P25 per kilo, being commercial grade.

The US rice was received as assistance under US Public Law 480 or the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act to help developing countries improve food security.

Mrs. Arroyo said the government already had foreseen the looming global tightening supply of rice several months back which is why it already sought imports from other countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

She said the government was already able to secure commitments from Vietnam and other countries for 1.2 million metric tons of rice that would already cover the production shortfall for the year.

Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, meanwhile, warned the public of the proliferation of fake family access cards which are supposedly used to buy rice from the NFA.

Cabral said they received reports that the cards, which are being sold for up to P5 each, were supposedly issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“It’s fake. They did not come from us. Actually we have not printed access cards although we have plans to do so,” Cabral said.

The DSWD has been tasked to coordinate with local government officials and barangay leaders to identify indigent residents to allow them to buy cheap rice from government-run “Tindahan Natin,” NFA outlets and the Church’s Bigasan ng Parokya outlets.

The lists were submitted to the DSWD, which will validate them by inspecting the households.

Cabral added a family of up to six with a household income of less than P5,000 can avail of the rice that is sold at P18.25 per kilo.  – Paolo Romero, Sheila Crisostomo