SUFFICIENT RICE SUPPLY. Anthony L. Agdon, provincial manager of the National Food Authority (NFA) in Aurora, assures the public that there is sufficient rice supply in the province amid the implementation of the enhanced quarantine due to the threat of the new coronavirus disease. Agdon also advised the public not to buy more than what they need. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora — The National Food Authority (NFA) provincial office here has assured the public that there is sufficient stock of rice amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the threat of the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
NFA-Aurora provincial manager Anthony L. Agdon said in an interview Sunday that there is no need for residents here to worry as the agency still has at least 77,814 sacks of palay and 1,403 sacks of rice in the warehouses in this capital town and in the municipalities of Maria Aurora and Casiguran.
He said the stocks will last for 31 days.
“I repeat, there is enough supply and people should not engage in panic buying amid the one-month enhanced community quarantine in this province,” Agdon said.
He also said they already distributed some 891 bags of rice to local government units (LGUs) purchased by the local officials from March 17 to 20 and entered into a memorandum of agreement for their relief operations due to the quarantine.
“Our office and warehouses are still open, especially to rice farmers wanting to sell their products. We are open and still buying palay from farmers. In case, they were flagged down, it is advised to bring with them and show the warehouse stamp receipt in checkpoints,” he said.
Agdon also advised the public not to buy more than they need.
“The public should buy only what is needed. Hoarding and panic buying would disrupt our market distribution in the whole province. There is enough rice,” he added. (PNA)
