MORE NFA REFORMS. National Food Authority (NFA) OIC administrator Larry Lacson says he eyes to propose and implement more reforms within the agency to ensure adequate rice buffer stocking, in an exclusive interview with the People's Television Network's Spotlight aired on Sunday (April 28, 2024). He said reforms might include strategies to lower handling costs and flexible buying of rice. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) eyes more cost-effective and flexible reforms for national rice buffer stocking.
In an exclusive interview with People’s Television Network (PTV)’s Spotlight on Sunday, NFA officer-in-charge administrator Larry Lacson said he would lobby for strategies that would minimize the NFA’s handling cost and secure ríce buffer stock with flexibility.
In particular, the agency can save over PHP136.1 million if it opts to eliminate the use of NFA sacks.
"Cost kasi yun sa government eh, so yung isang sako one single use, PHP13 mahigit. Ilang bags ba ang target natin kung ma-meet natin? (That's a cost to the government, so one single-used sack [is worth] more than PHP13. How many bags do we need to meet?) 9.9 million bags x PHP13.75," Lacson said.
Besides the procurement of sacks alone, the NFA is also spending on other packing procedures.
"Kasi nililipat nila sa sako ng NFA ngayon, gumastos ka na sa sako, magbabayad ka pa ng maglilipat ng sako, magtatahi ng sako, etc. nasa more or less 30 pesos per sako yan (Now, they are transferring that to NFA sacks, you already spent on sacks, you will even pay those who will transfer and sealed the sacks, etc. It's more or less PHP30 per sack)," he added.
Lacson then mentioned the option to do what other traders were doing upon procurement but with some parameters.
"Iyong suggestion nga ni (The suggestion of) Secretary (Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.), which okay, agree ako ano, stamp mo yung NFA ng food grade na ink (I agree, you can stamp the NFA with food grade ink)," he said.
Flexible buying
Lacson, meanwhile, said he would clarify if the NFA could purchase milled rice from local markets for its buffer stock instead of direct palay procurement to local farmers.
"Hindi cleared, nakalagay doon (It's not clear, it's indicated there that we) should be able to buy rice, for buffer stocking, from source solely from the farmers) rice ang sinabi hindi palay (it said rice not palay)," he said.
He said this might be pushed through flexible buying, but only if the NFA was unable to meet its target volume.
Under the existing Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the NFA is mandated to secure 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice for buffer stocking alone.
"We should be able to buy rice rin kapag kinakailangan lamang, kasi indirect ang benefit nun sa farmer (only if needed, because that's an indirect benefit to farmers)," Lacson said.
Lacson, however, said the NFA should still prioritize direct palay procurement to local farmers.
Earlier, the NFA implemented a higher pricing scheme for palay procurement to ensure fair play with traders during the tail-end of the dry harvest season.
The price range is now set at PHP17 to PHP23 per kilogram for fresh or wet palay; and PHP23 to PHP30/kg for clean and dry palay.
No corruption, better rice quality
Lacson, also, vowed to implement a "participatory leadership" where farmers are consulted to avoid corruption within the NFA.
"We don’t want any corruption, or any kalokohan sa NFA, kasi anything na ganyan it boils down to sayang na resources ng pamahalaan ng taong bayan (or any wrongdoings within the NFA, because if anything it boils down to wasted resources of government from the people's pocket)," he said.
"Wala nang mangyayaring, ganitong malawakang sibakan, dahil sa mga perceived na hindi nasunod na proseso (There will be no more massive suspensions due to perceived neglect of procedures)," he said.
To date, the NFA is under the parallel investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Agriculture due to the alleged improper rice sale of NFA rice buffer stock.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier issued a preventive suspension order against 141 officials and employees of NFA.
Meanwhile, Lacson assured that measures are in place to improve the quality of NFA rice.
"Deserve niyo po na makakain na masarap na bigas sa mga panahon ng kalamidad (You deserve to eat good quality rice in times of calamities)," he said.
Earlier, Lacson expressed optimism that NFA rice might be able to match the commercial quality of rice in the market. (PNA)
