DA, DTI, NFA officials inspect rice outlets

Several rice outlets selling cheaper well-milled rice amid a shortage of subsidized NFA rice were inspected by Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino on Wednesday.

Marisol Abduraman reported on “Balitanghali” Piñol that Lopez and Aquino checked the rice retail outlets selling  “Tulong sa Bayan” well-milled rice, which was usually sold at P44 per kilo but was brought down to P39 per kilo as traders made a commitment to help consumers amid a shortage of NFA rice.

The officials basically checked the quality of the rice varieties.

Though their profits might be compromised due to a lower price of well-milled rice, the retailers said they support the initiative in the hope that it won’t take until can recoup their losses.

The NFA expects that imported rice will arrive soon so the P27 to P32 per kilo NFA rice can be available again in the market.

Piñol called on rice retailers to make sacrifices while selling the “Tulong sa Bayan” commercial rice. —VDS, GMA News