Rice imported from Vietnam arrives in Albay, GenSan

Over 100,000 sacks of rice have arrived in the Philippines from Vietnam, as part of the imported buffer stock ordered by the National Food Authority (NFA).

According to a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday, some 100,000 sacks from Vietnam arrived in the port of Tabaco in Albay. The shipments will be discharged on Monday, and will be distributed to the Bicol region.

Another batch arrived in the port of General Santos, which has been temporarily stored in an NFA warehouse in the area. The supply will be distributed to commercial areas in Sarangani and in General Santos.

The Philippines last month ordered an additional supply of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to increase the stock in the country: 130,000 MT from Vietnam, and the remaining balance of 120,000 MT from Thailand.

The NFA earlier said the additional imports would arrive in the Philippines by the end of May, and would effectively stabilize rice prices by June.

The state grains agency last week, however, said the delivery was stalled due to enhanced rains brought about by Typhoon Domeng. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News