Batanes folk running short of rice supply

BASCO, Batanes — Residents are running short of rice — their staple food. Unless the long-overdue shipment of government rice arrives in the next few days, there would be no rice on their tables by March 16.

Melad Enterprises, the biggest distributor of commercial rice here, ran out of rice stocks last March 1. Tom and Nel’s, the second biggest retailer, ran out of its stocks last Monday.

The National Food Authority (NFA) started rationing its dwindling stocks as early as Feb. 26, allocating only two 50-kilo bags of government rice every week to its dealers provincewide.

The NFA, as of last Monday, had less than 2,000 bags in its inventory, way below the average monthly consumption of 2,500 bags of government rice. The monthly demand for commercial rice is estimated at 1,500 bags.

The NFA central office in Manila has readied 10,000 bags for shipment here since last month. The volume represents the province’s allocation for the first quarter this year. However, unpredictable weather has delayed the shipment by a vessel tasked to do the job.

A second ship, M/V Dhanx, was tapped to deliver the stocks, but it could only accommodate 2,000 bags to allow more space for commercial cargoes. The ship is expected to start loading the stocks on March 16 yet.

Fernan Hizon, the NFA’s local officer-in-charge, allayed the residents’ fears. "We are doing our best to bring the rice here, as soon as possible, even with this inclement weather," he said.

"Batanes is always on top of the agency’s priority list, as far as food security are concerned," he added.