MANILA, February 3 ------ The food security emergency for rice may be declared on Feb. 4, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. Tiu Laurel confirmed that his office has received the official copy of the resolution on the measure from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC). “Natanggap na ng opisina ko kahapon while I’m still in the US iyong resolution that I am to sign. By Tuesday, malamang we will declare a rice emergency,” the Agriculture chief said in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the MerryMart Groceries Centers Inc. in Pasay City. “I have to sign it, that I am agreeable to the resolution. After this meeting, pipirmahan ko na iyon.”
The DA earlier said the Secretary needs at least two working days upon receipt to review the resolution for due diligence before its official declaration. The declaration will enable the National Food Authority (NFA) to start selling its rice stocks, even those not aging, to local government units (LGUs), other government agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) at PHP36 per kilogram. These may then be sold to consumers at PHP38/kg. "That is very welcome dahil mababawasan na iyong mga laman ng NFA warehouses at matutuwa na rin ang ating mga farmers na makakabili na ang NFA ng bigas mula sa kanila kasi mayroon nang paglalagyan," he said.
Tiu Laurel, however, said he will review and refine the guidelines for the release of NFA stocks to ensure smooth transactions. He noted that the major chunk of the 150,000 metric tons (MT) or around three million 50-kg. bags of NFA rice set for release will be primarily allocated to LGUs and government agencies Luzon-wide, as well as in Sultan Kudarat where there is a high volume of NFA stock. The DA targets to start releasing NFA rice stocks on the second week of February.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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