Only 80,000 sacks of aging rice stocked in NFA warehouse, says exec

The National Food Authority (NFA) said on Tuesday that it only has 80,000 sacks of aged rice that have been stocked inside its warehouse, but these stockpiles are still of high quality.

NFA administrator Larry Lacson said that these aging stocks are sold in Kadiwa centers for P29 per kilo.

“Roughly 80,000 bags po ‘yan na aged na, na aged more than three months hanggang six months na ito pa rin yung magandang quality pa rin na idini-distribute natin o ibinibenta sa Kadiwa, P29,” said Lacson in an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB.

(There are roughly 80,000 aged bags that are stocked for more than three months to six months, but they are still of good quality and we distribute them via Kadiwa centers for P29 per kilo.)

The NFA administrator made the clarification after the Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said that at least six million bags of rice have been stocked and may rot if not disposed soon.

But the NFA noted that it makes sure that its stocks are free from pests and mold.

“Medyo mahigpit ang NFA pagdating sa quality maintenance. Kapag may nakita na hong bukbok, finu-fumigate na po ‘yan, ginagamot na po ‘yan para mapatay yung peste. Kapag may molds, hinihiwalay na po namin ‘yan,” said Lacson.

(NFA is strict when it comes to quality maintenance. If we see pests, we fumigate them and treat them. If there are molds, we separate them.)

“Hindi po natin hahayaan na mabulok yung stock natin. Lagi po nating binabantayan ‘yan,” he added.

(We don’t allow our stock to be rotten. We always monitor them.)

NFA explained that it can only distribute rice bags during calamities. But it said that the DA is now planning to expand Kadiwa stores to distribute more rice and prevent stocks from rotting at the warehouse.

“May mga pagpaplano na ang DA na  palawigin na itong mga Kadiwa together with the local government unit,” said Lacson.

(The DA is actually planning to broaden the partnership of Kadiwa and local government units.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News