NFA starts selling cheap rice in Caraga

The National Food Authority (NFA) has started the distribution of low-priced rice in Caraga region after it has been stalled for days by unfavorable weather conditions.

In a statement, the NFA said it began distributing its P27 and P32 per kilogram rice varieties on Monday through 188 accredited retailers in Agusan and Surigao including the islands of Dinagat and Siargao.

"The initial shipment of the 250,000 metric tons (MT) government-to-government rice arrived on June 2 at the Surigao and Subic ports, but the rice was not immediately unloaded due to bad weather," the NFA said.

"Unloading of the 5,000 MT allotted for Surigao was completed only last Saturday, June 16 and after the necessary documentation and prescribed procedures, the stocks started to be distributed today, June 18 according to NFA Surigao Del Norte Provincial Manager Daisy Luna," it added.

The NFA said that it has unloaded parts of the 126,000 bags from MV An Thinh Phu in Tobaco, Albay.

"Meanwhile, after 13 days at berth, unloading operations in Zambales have started with the skies getting clear today," it said.

According to NFA Zambales Provincial Manager Jonathan Yazon heavy rains have prevented the NFA office to unload the imported rice from MV Tyson 2 docked at the Subic Freeport.

The weather has caused tremendous delays. 

"In other disport areas across the country, the vessels carrying imported rice have started to arrive. Without weather issues, unloading operations will proceed accordingly," the NFA said.

Two haulers discharged from MV Truong Loc docked at the Macabalan Port in Cagayan de Oro City arrived at the NFA office in Baloy loaded with 92,000 bags of imported rice from Vietnam, according to the Food authority.

The NFA awarded last May 4 to Vietnam and Thailand the contract to supply 250,000 metric tons of rice consisting of 200,000 MT of 25 percent and 50,000 MT of 15 percent broken rice. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News