NFA starts distribution of rice to retailers

CEBU, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA)-7 has started releasing yesterday the 11,000 bags of rice intended for retailers in 11 major markets in Metro Cebu.

Olma Marie Bayno, NFA-7 information officer, said that these 11 major markets are Carbon, Freedom Park, T. Padilla, Taboan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Danao City, Tabunok, Carcar City and Toledo City.

As of noon yesterday, NFA-7 was able to release 100 sacks of rice to retailers in T. Padilla Public Market.

Each NFA rice retailer is only entitled to receive 10 sacks of NFA rice per week.

Bayno said that retailers will be supplied with NFA rice until supply lasts.

Last February 2, NFA-7 stopped distributing rice to 1,018 accredited NFA retailers in Cebu due to the declining supply since NFA did not import rice.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs-Cebu is preparing to donate rice that they seized to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Lawyer Kern Sesante, legal officer of BOC-Cebu, said they already forwarded the deed of donation to the Office of the Commissioner for Commissioner Isidro Lapeña’s signature.

To recall, BOC-Cebu apprehended 14 container vans loaded with premium rice that were declared as ceramic tiles.

"The Port of Cebu will be a problem destination for the smugglers. This will serve as a strong message and a stern warning that they will not be able to continue doing this kind of business," said Lapeña when he led the opening of container vans last December at the Cebu International Port.

The 14 container vans were part of the 71 container vans from China that were reported to arrive at Cebu Port in November and December last year. (FREEMAN)