NFA secures Duterte approval to import 250,000 MT of rice

The National Food Authority (NFA) has secured the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte to import an additional 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice as the supply of government-subsidized rice has dwindled.

“The request of NFA for 250 TMT replenishment of our buffer stocks has been approved yesterday by the Office of the President,” NFA Administrator Jason Aquino said in a text message through his assistant.

NFA Council will have to finalize details of the importation.

“That will still be decided by the NFA council. They will meet Monday daw,” NFA spokesperson Rebecca Olarte said.

More than 10 million consumers have been forced to shift to the more expensive commercial rice in the face of low supply of NFA rice.

According to NFA data, its regular-milled rice costs P27 per kilogram and the well-milled variety costs P32 per kg.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed regular-milled rice sells for P38.58 on average per kg while commercial well-milled rice goes for P42.51 per kg.

The NFA has suspended rice distribution to accredited retailers as the government shifted priorities in favor of calamity victims and stockpiling for islands at greater risk of natural disasters.

The government also released about 140,000 bags of rice to affected families in war-torn Marawi City. —VDS, GMA News