Grocery stores group backs gov’t plan to sell NFA rice in supermarkets

Small supermarkets and grocery stores operators group Philippine Consumer-Centric Traders Association (PCCTA) is supporting the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) plan to sell cheap state-subsidized NFA rice in supermarkets.

"Maraming miyembro kami na interesado. Unang-una, ang PCCTA lagi naman kami nakikipagtulungan sa DTI...kung ano ang magagawa namin, tutulong kami," PCCTA secretary general Fidian Ples said in an interview on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" Thursday.

The DTI last month signed an agreement with the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association to sell NFA rice in supermarkets.

The PCCTA official, however, said they have concerns particularly about their members' being required to pick up the stocks at NFA warehouses themselves.

"May mga members kasi kami na hindi naka-set up ang operations nila sa pag-pick up. Normally ang mga supermarket, dine-deliver sa amin ang mga stocks," Ples said.

Nevertheless, the group supports the initiative as a way to stabilize rice prices.

"We will support every effort ng gobyerno para ma-stabilize ang presyo ng bigas ang effect niyan matutuwa ang ating mag consumers," Ples said.

The Duterte administration has intensified its importation of rice to address the unabated price increases for commercial rice, which has prompted the public to fall in line for hours to secure cheap NFA rice priced at P27 to P32 per kilo, as opposed to commercial rice which is priced at P42 to P70 per kilo.

The country is still reeling from a nine-year high inflation rate of 6.4 percent in August which was driven by increased prices of rice, vegetables, electricity and operation of private vehicles. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News