PROBE UNDERWAY. Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa tackles the alleged irregularity in the sale of National Food Authority rice, during an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing over PTV on Thursday (Feb. 29, 2024). He said the investigation panel has begun its review of documents and interviews for an accurate report. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it expects a swift and accurate result in the investigation of the alleged improper sale of milled rice in the National Food Authority (NFA).
During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the investigation panel has begun its document reviews and interviews.
“Bagama’t hindi nag-set ng deadline ang ating kalihim Secretary Laurel (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.), inaasahan namin na mabilis na magagawa iyong inquiry at makakapagbigay sila ng report, review, and analysis sa ating kalihim (Although Secretary Laurel did not set a deadline, we are expecting a speedy inquiry and the [immediate] submission of report, review, and analysis to our Secretary),” he said.
De Mesa underscored the need to find the truth amid some internal exchanges of allegations within the NFA.
"Kapag may nakita po na iregularidad, iyan po ay siguradong aaksyunan ng ating kalihim, kahit sino pa po iyon (If an irregularity has been found, our Secretary would surely act on it, regardless of who was [involved]),” he said.
“Kailangan lang po talaga, kabilin-bilinan ni Secretary Kiko Laurel, ay masigurado na lalabas po iyong katotohanan (What must be done, as instructed by Secretary Kiko Laurel, is to ensure that the truth will come out).”
NFA Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan, meanwhile, told the People’s Television (PTV) that more than PHP93.7 million worth of NFA rice were “sold to select millers and traders at PHP25 per kg. without public bidding.”
This allegedly involved the sale of 75,000 bags of NFA rice to capitalists at a subsidized price, Pagayunan said.
“Kung nag-public bidding po tayo (If we did public bidding), you can get a higher price than PHP25 per kg., maybe because the current market price is rising in the market. If the average price in the market is PHP50 to PHP55, you can sell NFA rice in between doon sa (the) data,” he told PTV in an exclusive interview.
NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco said his office is open and would cooperate with any investigation. (PNA)
