NFA to start no-card-no-rice policy on July 28 - report

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) is giving poor families until July 28 to secure their family access cards if they still want to buy subsidized rice priced at P18.25 per kilo. Radio dzBB reported that the NFA gave the July 28 deadline after noting many residents had been abusing the present setup that allows virtually anyone to buy the P18.25/kilo rice. It urged local executives such as village chairmen to work out a system with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on providing access cards for qualified buyers. Government presently restricts the P18.25/kilo rice to poor families verified by the DSWD. Those not qualified for the P18.25/kilo rice can buy higher-priced rice at P25/kilo. The NFA, citing information reaching the agency, said only 10 percent of families in Quezon City and 40 percent in Manila have been issued family access cards so far. Family access cards issued by the DSWD contain serial numbers that seek to make it hard for unscrupulous parties to make duplicates or copies. - GMANews.TV