Distribution of NFA rice suspended due to low buffer stock

National Food Authority-accredited rice retailers will not be able to sell NFA rice for the time being, the agency has confirmed.

In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, spokesperson Rebecca Olarte confirmed that the NFA has decided to temporarily discontinue issuing NFA rice to accredited retailers due to low supply.

Olarte said that because of the low NFA buffer stock, the agency has decided to prioritize distributing rice to calamity victims, as well as stockpiling for islands at greater risk of being isolated in the event of a calamity.

“Because the NFA inventory is low, management decided that priority should be given to food security assurance for calamity victims and those committed under MOAs with DSWD, NDRRMC, LGUs etc. Priority is also given to island provinces that could easily be isolated during calamities,” Olarte said.

Compared to commercial rice at prices ranging from P36 to over P65 per kilo, NFA rice is more affordable at P27 to P32 per kilo.

NFA earlier assured the public that there is sufficient rice supply in the country, if the national rice inventory that includes commercial rice is to be considered.

According to Olarte, the total national rice inventory in the country is pegged at 2.7 million metric tons or 55.3 million rice bags, sufficient for 88 days.

The NFA earlier confirmed that NFA rice supplies are low, but the agency has been given standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons of rice to replenish the agency’s buffer stock.

But Senator Nancy Binay, in a statement Sunday morning, criticized the NFA for taking slow action on the importation of such replenishment.

Binay said the NFA should fast-track the importation of the buffer stock replenishment.

She said the NFA earlier admitted that its buffer stock would only last for three days, well below the 15-day recommendation of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which is based on the national daily rice consumption requirement of 640,000 bags.

“Kamakailan lang inamin na mismo ng NFA na tatlong araw na lang ang buffer stock ng NFA rice. Ano nang nangyari sa polisiya na dapat magkaroon ng 15-day buffer stock ang ahensya?” Binay said.

Olarte confirmed Sunday that NFA’s buffer stock is below LEDAC's 15-day recommendation but did not state exactly for how long NFA’s buffer stock would last.

“NFA buffer stock at present is below that volume but the total national rice inventory, including commercial and household stocks, is placed at 2.7 million metric tons or about 55.3 million bags, which is good for 88 days,” Olarte said.

Olarte also said the NFA council has yet to give the green light for the agency to import replenishment stock.

Despite this, however, the NFA assured that NFA Region 5 has sufficient rice supply for those affected by the Mayon volcano eruption and are now at evacuation centers.

Other NFA offices in the country are also ready to provide additional supply when needed, Olarte said. — BM, GMA News