Saturday, April 19, 2008 NegOr police to closely monitor rice trade
DESPITE the assurance made by the local office of the National Food Authority (NFA) that there is no rice hoarding in Negros Oriental, the Provincial Police Office is still not at ease.
Police said they would monitor the rice trade to prevent hoarding and eventual shortage of supply.
Police Provincial Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the police in the province are now monitoring warehouses to determine whether rice, especially those supplies sourced from NFA, is being kept away from the public.
He confirmed a standing order issued by PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. for the police to conduct intelligence and continuous monitoring of rice traders in their areas and, if need be, to launch appropriate police operations.
Buenafe's statement was made several days after Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices also ordered the local city police to monitor the rice situation here and look for possible hoarding by rice retailers and traders.
The mayor urged the public to report to his office or the city police any cases of hoarding.
"That is why we conduct intelligence operations because we cannot just arrest a person or raid a warehouse. We have rules to follow," the police provincial director explained.
Over the past recent weeks, long lines have been seen in many parts of the city, especially at NFA-authorized outlets where government rice is being distributed to the public in limited amounts.
NFA has also put to task several local village leaders to help them in the distribution of rice in their respective localities.
Buenafe said except for these long queues, there are no indications of panic-buying here.
He called on the public to contact the police and provide information, if any, that would lead the authorities to unscrupulous trades.
Mayor Perdices in an earlier interview business establishment found hoarding rice could face revocation of their business permits and will in addition face criminal charges.
The City Government is contemplating the giving of reward to informers who can pinpoint rice hoarders, but no definite amount yet has been set. (EBS)
