Monday, June 09, 2008 Gov't probes delivery of 500 sacks of rice to fishing firm By Aquilez Z. Zonio
THE National Food Authority (NFA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are investigating the delivery of 500 sacks of government-subsidized rice to a fishing firm in General Santos last week.
The NFA and NBI conducted the investigation after receiving reports that a truck owned by a big-time rice trader delivered 500 sacks of NFA rice to MGTR Fishing.
Felix Hernandez, a local resident, said bothered conscience and vigilance prompted him to inform the authorities about it.
Hernandez claimed MGTR management bought the NFA rice at P2,100 per sack or about P42 per kilo from the supplier.
NFA rice is sold at P18.50 per kilo or P925 per sack in the city. At P2,100 per sack, the supplier earned a whopping P587,500 from a single delivery alone.
Accordingly, the 500 sacks of NFA rice were intended for the consumption of MGTR Fishing workers.
The same source revealed the fishing company just wanted a stable supply of rice.
Usually, he said, the delivery is made during the wee hours of the night to avoid being noticed.
Arthur Aller, operations chief of NFA regional office, with the help of NBI agents, rushed to MGTR Fishing last week to check on the report.
The fishing firm management, however, denied the allegation.
Aller requested the company management to open the warehouse but the request was turned down.
He told reporters they could not compel the management to open their warehouse without the search warrant.
He said they would apply for a search warrant to see what's inside the MGTR warehouse.
He warned the rice dealer they will be held responsible once the delivery of 500 sacks is proven.
