Friday, March 28, 2008 Cebu City Council asks NFA, DTI, city's Local Market Authority to monitor rice sale
CONCERNED about the effects of the recent increase in the prices of rice, the Cebu City Council urged government agencies to ensure that dealers do not hoard nor mix National Food Authority (NFA) rice with commercial brands.
The council expressed concern about the possible effects of the reported shortage in rice supply, such as the “unscrupulous” practice of hoarding or mixing different rice varieties at the expense of consumers.
Councilor Arsenio Pacaña said that dealers might resort to mixing NFA rice with other brands in order to sell it at a higher price.
During their session last Wednesday, the council passed a resolution asking the NFA, the Department of Trade and Industry and the City’s Market Authority to monitor the sale of NFA rice to ensure that wholesalers and dealers do not engage in nefarious practices.
If not addressed immediately, the increase in rice prices and the looming supply shortage could lead to further unrest and problems for the government, the resolution read.
“Before the situation worsens, it would be appropriate for the NFA to adopt measures designed to protect public welfare and interest from unscrupulous practices of some rice dealers who may take advantage of the situation and hoard or mix cheap NFA rice with commercial rice,” Pacaña said.
He further said that poor consumers will be at a disadvantage if the reported rice hoarding and price manipulation is not checked, especially since rice is the staple food for most Filipinos.
NFA’s plan to activate its Regional Task Force and to field rice marshals to check the alleged rice hoarding underscores the need for government to address the rice crisis before it worsens, the council said. (LCR)
