By LITO RULONA, Correspondent .
THE National Food Authority here assured a well-managed distribution of rice in northern Mindanao even as it assured that the rice supply in the region is enough until the first quarter of 2019.
The assurance came even as Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol yesterday maintained that there is no shortage of rice in the country.
Piñol however admitted that there is an increase in rice prices which he blamed on speculations in light of the delayed arrival of imported rice as well as the “temporary absence” of NFA rice in the market.
Zel Belacho, NFA-10 spokesperson, said no rice shortage is felt in northern Mindanao, adding that the NFA here has continued to release sufficient rice supply to the market.
“Gi-manage pag-ayo nato ang supply kay aron duna pa tay pang food security by the first quarter next year in case ipit-ipiton na sab ang NFA rice importation karong tuiga,” she said.
Belacho said the NFA supply was “zero” during the April-June period because an October 2017 request for rice importation intended for the first quarter of this year was not granted.
“Dapat man gud na right timing ang pag-import og bugas nga dili mudungan sa harvest season. Ang gakahitabo karon, NFA management na pud pakasad-an,” she said.
Belacho said the prices of commercial rice shot up because of “minimal” local harvests.
But Belacho said the NFA expects a good harvest by the end of this month.
“Law of supply and demand gihapon kay ang ila gipang import under minimum access volume private importation, nanga traffic pa sa issue sa pantalan and BOC (Bureau of Customs). Busa sab siguro na karon nga mahal pa bugas,” she said.
At the Lower House, Piñol said, “We have no rice shortage but there is admittedly a spike in the price of rice in the market because of speculation due to the long absence of NFA rice in the market. The arrival of imported rice is also delayed.”
Piñol assured that the rice situation, particularly the price of the staple, would stabilize by November as harvest season starts.
He also clarified reports that he was proposing to legalize rice smuggling, adding that he was recommending the establishment of a rice trading post where government can collect customs duty on legally imported rice with import permit from the NFA.
Piñol’s previous pronouncements resulted in calls for the secretary’s resignation. (with reports from PNA)
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