Local government units in Metro Manila have started selling rice at P33 to P35 per kilo from the National Food Authority’s (NFA) buffer stock following the declaration of a food security emergency.
According to Bernadette Reyes’ report in “24 Oras” on Monday, 150,000 sacks of rice were initially allocated for Metro Manila, but more sacks can be added depending on demand.
Each sack is sold for P1,650 or P33 per kilo, but this can be sold to consumers at up to P35 per kilo.
“Okay lang to be resold pala kung P33 to P35 lang din ang benta nila. Huwag lang sa negosyante at huwag lang ibenta ng mas mataas sa P33 to P35,” said Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
(It’s okay if it will be resold for P33 to P35. But please do not sell them to businessmen and resell it higher than P33 to P35 per kilo.)
In San Juan City, residents lined up to get their hands on the affordable rice from the government, amid the rising prices of basic goods.
“Pang-ulam, pambaon ng mga estudyante ko, malaking bagay na po yung halos P1,000 mahigit din yung natipid ko,” said resident Marisa Cruz.
(We will have it for our meals and packed lunch for my children who are studying. It’s a huge help for us to save over P1,000.)
“Malaking bagay at tulong ang murang bigas, kasi sa isang buwan magkano ang bina-budget namin?” said customer Melita Debata.
(It’s a big help for us to find affordable rice because we budget so much in a month.)
Rice from NFA’s buffer stock will soon be available in provinces outside of Metro Manila such as Camarines Sur.
“Sa ngayon kasi, sa rami ng stocks, walang limit. Of course, kung ang demand ng LGUs nationwide ay biglang tumaas, then we will have to set the weekly limits,” said Tiu Laurel Jr.
(There’s no limit right now given how many stocks we have. Of course, if the demand in LGUs increase, then we will have to set the weekly limits.)
Onion prices
Meanwhile, the DA is planning to set a maximum suggested retail price on onions if prices will not go down once the imported ones arrive.
“Harvest is coming soon. Kung sakaling mag-MSRP tayo sa onions, maybe limited to two weeks lang ‘yan,” said Tiu Laurel Jr.
(Harvest is coming soon. If we will implement an MSRP for onions, maybe it will only last for two weeks.)
DA data showed that local red onions are currently being sold for P140 to P120 per kilo, the local white onions for P90 to P150 per kilo, and imported white onions are available for P100 to P160.
Further, the Bureau of Plant Industry was already ordered to inspect the cold storage of onions.
“Inspeksyunin kung mayroong new harvest na itinatago at hindi ibinibenta, kasi kung mayroong ganun, mali ‘yun,” the Agriculture chief added.
(We want them to inspect if there are any new harvest being hidden and not being sold, because if it’s true, that would be wrong.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
