DA to probe reported NFA rice with odor —Dar

The Department of Agriculture will look into reports that rice coming from the National Food Authority (NFA) had odor, Secretary William Dar said Wednesday.

During the virtual meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture, Nueva Ecija Representative Estrellita Suansing reported that they were supposed to buy rice from NFA to be distributed to her constituents.

But they opted to purchase from rice millers instead priced at P1,850 to P1,950 per sack supposedly because NFA rice had odor, she added.

"Masisira kami kung 'yun ang ibibigay," Suansing said. "I would like to request Secretary Dar to do investigation. This is what is happening in the field."

Other lawmakers, such as House agriculture panel chair Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales also reported encountering NFA rice with odor.

"I had the same predicament also, 'yung naranasan namin. But it was part of the first batch so siguro around March or April, first week. 'Yun 'yung mga may ganung cases na may amoy 'yung NFA rice," Enverga said.

"But succeeding stocks were okay naman. But please investigate, Secretary," he added.

Dar initially said that the reported stale rice did not come from NFA. 

"Kasi 'di ba ang NFA hindi na nag-import ng bigas? Lahat ay binili dito sa local o domestic and dapat kung maganda ang warehousing nila, walang problema sa amoy," he said.

Dar nevertheless asked Suansing to send them more details so they could look into it.

"Gusto naming imbestigahan 'yun," he added.

Dar also said they will ensure that rice prices remain within reasonable prices during the COVID-19 crisis. 

"We will work with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) dito sa presyo ng bigas. Mayroon tayong price freeze actually ongoing. Ire-revisit namin 'yun at we will do what is possible," he said. —KG, GMA News