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CEBU CITY, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) will coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and distribute corn grits in their retail stores in Central Visayas in compliance with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Edgar Diez, NFA-7 enforcement and investigation officer, said the NFA has not been involved with the distribution of corn products because this was being handled by the Department of Agriculture.
Diez said the NFA only helps in monitoring the price of corn products, but is not involved in production and distribution.
The President directed on Friday the inclusion of corn grits in the NFA stores such as the Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGP) and Tindahan Natin (TN) outlets.
Danilo Bonabon, NFA-7 director, was in a directors’ meeting in Bohol last Thursday and Friday.
The meeting included discussions on the possibility of giving additional rice allocation to their NFA dealers, said Diez.
Cebu grain retailers earlier complained of the shortage of supply in both rice and corn. The government is looking into the cause of the reported shortage.
The Provincial Board will ask barangay (village) officials to apprehend the hoarders of rice in their respective areas to abate the spiraling price of rice.
Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong, in his proposed resolution expected to be passed in today’s session, said barangay officials are in the best position to detect the presence of hoarders of rice and other basic commodities since they are familiar with the people and business activities in their respective areas.
“This august body exhorts the barangay officials to monitor, report or apprehend rice, basic commodities hoarders,” said Maambong’s proposed resolution.
Maambong was concerned that the hoarding could possibly constitute economic sabotage.
In his other proposed resolution, Maambong supports the government’s campaign against hoarders of rice and other basic commodities in order to ensure their stable supply in the market and to abate overpricing.
Provincial Board Member Juan Bolo is also expected to pass a proposed resolution, calling all local government units to encourage the public to save rice and eat only what is necessary in order to solve the alleged looming rice crisis.
