NFA ships emergency rice to Batanes

The National Food Authority (NFA) on Monday said its has shipped 2,000 bags of rice to Batanes in the wake of the province’s dwindling stock of commercial rice caused by transport problems.   In a statement, the NFA said that the difficulty in crossing the Balintang Channel —  the normal shipping route to the Batanes — has discouraged traders from running their regular rice shipments.   The NFA hired MV Savers, a commercial ship, to transport rice. It noted that the ship also had trouble in crossing the rough waters of Balintang Channel and was forced to dock at Calayan Island.   Through the Department of Agriculture, the NFA coordinated with the Department of National Defense to airlift some 200 bags of rice to Batanes on Dec. 30.   The main shipment arrived on Jan. 1 after the MV Savers was able to cross the Balintang Channel.   The NFA said it will remain committed to supplying stocks of rice to Batanes as long as necessary. — AL/VS, GMA News