AMPLE SUPPLY

The National Food Authority (NFA)-11 said that the total supply of NFA rice in the region is 177,000 bags and more will be coming from Thailand in October-December.

During the I-Speak media forum yesterday, Lester Romeo Malana, NFA regional manager II, said that Davao region is scheduled to receive additional 300,000 bags which is expected to arrive third week of October and 170,000 bags by the end of November, and 12,000 metric tons by December.

“Rice comes from Thailand and it is being loaded now,” Malana said.

He also said that the additional rice supply will be available in NFA outlets in the markets.

“Every end of the quarter, we have a market planning session,” Malana said, explaining that the number of rice bags imported to the country is enough supply for the region.

The suggested retail price of NFA rice is P32 in major outlets while it is only P27 for special projects in barangays such as the Tagpuan Rice Response Delivery.

“Our drive now is to look for more outlets and retailers kasi meron tayong requirement dyan and also the viability of the place,” Malana said.

Meanwhile, NFA Provincial Manager for Davao City Leonila Selpa, during the same event, said that the NFA owns only one warehouse and it is located along Sta. Ana Avenue while the rest are leased.

“Time na mag-abot ang bugas, amo pud na idiritso sa mga warehouses sa Tagum, Digos (When it arrives we will deliver it to Tagum and Digos),” Selpa said, adding that the number of warehouses, owned or rented, is enough to cater the imported rice bags. /