PRINCE WAITS FOR NFA APPROVAL
Prince Retail president Robert Go says they are working on requirements to get accreditation from the National Food Authority allowing them to sell NFA rice in their branches
Prince Warehouse Club Inc. is in the process of complying with the requirements to be able to sell rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).
Robert Go, president of Prince Retail, told SunStar Cebu that one of their branches has been informed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that they would be able to sell NFA rice on their shelves.
“However, there are requirements of NFA to be submitted and (fees). Also, NFA will still accredit Prince Retail when we fully submit all requirements,” Go said.
He said that the accreditation is somewhat complicated and they have yet to check with the national headquarters if they are already accredited.
Go said that some of their branches already submitted the necessary papers.
“We are awaiting the approval of NFA,” he said.
Last month, DTI and NFA signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa) authorizing member supermarkets to sell NFA rice.
Prince Warehouse would need a license from the NFA, permits from DTI and Pagasa and that the number of sacks will depend on the capitalization they will declare, Go said.
Olma Bayno, NFA 7 spokesperson, assured that they will fast track the accreditation and approval of Prince Warehouse.
“Compared before, the process for accreditation now is easier. They can even submit their business permit online as long as they pay a license fee, which will depend on the capitalization they will declare,” she said.
Target date
Bayno said that they also have to clarify if the NFA will conduct an inspection of the supermarket.
She said that the public can expect that within the month, NFA will give the go-signal to Prince Warehouse so they can start selling rice.
The DTI 7 identified the branches of Prince Warehouse Club located on P. Burgos St. and North Reclamation Area (NRA) in Cebu City, AC Cortes Ave. in Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, Danao City and in the towns of Argao, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Minglanilla, Sibonga and Tuburan.
According to the NFA, each supermarket is allotted 50 bags of NFA rice sold at either P27 or P32 per kilogram. The supermarket owners go to the nearest NFA branch to pay for their stocks.
They will then proceed to the designated NFA warehouse to withdraw their allocation similar to what regular NFA accredited retailers are currently doing.
Consumers will be allowed to buy NFA rice at supermarkets in two-kilogram packs. /