NFA has no control over prices of commercial rice

The National Food Authority said on Wednesday it has no control over prices increases in some rice varieties, but could offer NFA rice as an alternative.

Neither has the agency any authority to pursue unscrupulous rice traders, Maki Pulido reported on GMA News' "Unang Balita."

"Ang magagawa ng NFA sa mga areas na masyadong mataas, magpapalabas kami ng NFA rice para may alternative ang buyers," NFA Public Affairs Director Rebecca Olarte said.

Rice retailer Marideth Caña was surprised by that fact that after she took a vacation in October her supplier increased the price of rice by P130 per sack.

"Umorder ako ng bigas dahil walang laman 'yung bodega ko. 'Bakit ang laki ng itinaas, mahigit P100?' Sabi niya, 'Kasi unti-unti 'yun, eh isang buwan na,' sabi niya," Caña said.

As a result, Caña was forced to increase her selling price by P2 to P5 per kilogram.

Regular-milled Sinandomeng is now selling for P39 per kg from P35 in September.

From P37 per kg, well-milled Sinandomeng is now sold at P40.

The fancy variety like the Mindoro rice now sells for P55 from P50, and the Dinorado variety is now at P53 from P51.

"Pagka 'yan ay tumaas, ke malaki, ke maliit, maapektuhan talaga, kahit paano pang gatas ng bata," consumer Jaime Reyes said.

The NFA said it was clueless why rice suppliers have increased their selling price considering that now is the harvest season and rice supply is abundant.

It's possible the price increase was caused by middlemen, it added. — Jamil Santos/VDS, GMA News