|
|
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Only needy families can buy 3 kilos of low-priced NFA rice
MANILA -- Malacaņang said only those with a monthly family income of P4,500 and below would be given access cards that would entitle them to buy three kilograms per day of the P18.25 per kilo rice distributed by the National Food Authority (NFA).
Deputy presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said based on the initial poverty mapping of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and barangay officials, the beneficiaries would number at least 100,000 families.
"We just want to make sure there will be proper distribution, that those who need it most would really get the P18.25 NFA rice," Fajardo said.
She said there is "no reason to panic" over the planned pullout in two to three weeks of the P18.25 per kilo rice. She also said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's critics should not put any political color on the government's move.
Fajardo said aside from the Catholic Church, other religious organizations, government agencies, and local government units will also help in the distribution of the cheaper rice. She said government is working on the distribution system to ensure that no one would take advantage of it.
She said government is also willing to consider the proposal of Senator Rodolfo Biazon to suspend the bio-fuels program, adding that food security is always the priority.
Fajardo said she submitted a memorandum to Arroyo and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to promote the consumption of brown rice among Filipinos, which she said, is healthier and now cheaper than commercial rice.
She based her recommendation on the suggestion of farmers groups in her native province of Nueva Ecija. She said recovery is also better because only 20 percent is lost compared to around 35-40 percent for the well-milled rice.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) meantime said it is willing to use some of their stations to sell the rice coming from the NFA.
LRTA spokesperson Jinky Jorgio said they are set to meet with the NFA officials to organize the distribution and selling of rice in different train stations to prevent inconvenience to buyers and commuters of the LRT.
Some of the train stations that will be used are Baclaran, Quirino, and Central of the LRT Line 1 and Santolan and Legarda of the LRT Line 2.
Jorgio said even if it is approved by LRTA administrator Mel Robles, the NFA must assure the security of the commuters and that the operation should not affect the daily operations.
She said the military and the police will help the NFA distribute and sell the rice so it can be added to the security of the train stations.
LRTA officials will set a time for selling the rice in the train stations and it will be set during the lean hours to prevent hassle to the buyers and commuters during rush hour.
The food agency is tapping LRT stations to lessen the queues on distribution centers. (Sunnex) |
|
|
|
