Stormy weather delays distribution of NFA rice

The distribution of inexpensive rice by the National Food Authority (NFA) will be delayed anew due to unfavorable weather conditions.

“Sa ngayon, hindi pa rin maganda ang panahon dito sa Central Luzon—lalo na doon sa Subic, sa Zambales hindi pa rin tayo makapag unload ng bigas,” NFA Spokesperson Rex Estoperez told GMA News.

The cargo ship carrying 1.5 million bags of NFA rice for Metro Manila has yet to arrive. The shipment was scheduled to arrive over the weekend. 

Estoperez, however, assured that NFA rice will be unloaded as soon as weather conditions improve. “Once na the skies are clear at pwede na natin ibaba, by all means ibaba natin ‘yan. Pagkatapos ng classification and documentation dalhin natin sa mga bodega natin then direct to the market.”

The areas of Caloocan, Quezon City and Manila are some of the places listed as key priorities by the NFA considering their market share. Busy market places such as Commonwealth,  Balintawak and Mega Q Mart in Quezon City will definitely get their respective NFA rice allocations.

“May mga holidays po tayo. So sabi nga namin, kung kailangan natin mag pass muna sa holidays we will do that,” Estoperez.

However, Estoperez said the importation should have been made ahead of the rainy season to avoid delays as it is not the best time to import rice—noting a similar predicament in 1995.

“Nangyari na rin ito na hindi tayo makapag baba ng bigas samantalang ang presyo ay medyo gumagalaw. So wala tayo magagawa unless maibaba natin ‘yung bigas to stablize ‘yung supply and price. We should have learned our lesson already on this na pag mga ganitong panahon hindi na tayo nag iimport.”

The bidding for the current shipment should have started in the last quarter of 2017 to ensure the NFA rice supply will arrive in time for the lean months when prices tend to go up as the harvest season is over.

“Normally kasi mga October, November nagbibid na tayo n’yan ... December. So during the summer months nag iimport na tayo, hindi tayo nagrerelease sa market kasi harvest season ‘yon. Pero tayo naman we are building our buffer stock,” Estoperez said. —VDS, GMA News