THE National Food Authority (NFA) has dismissed speculations that the control in the distribution of NFA-purchased rice in Zamboanga City is due to insufficient supplies of commercial rice.

Engr. John Hermano, NFA provincial manager, said the distribution of NFA rice in the city is controlled and minimized so as not to hamper the marketability of locally produced rice.

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In a news conference with the officers and members of the Zamboanga Columnists Club over the weekend, Hermano said NFA is now limiting its distribution to certain accredited rice retailers, particularly those at the public market and certain groups, like those of churches and barangays.

He said NFA's target is to fill in one-third of the local rice requirements.

He said some 5,900 bags of rice are being consumed in Zamboanga City on a daily basis.

Local rice suppliers, including those from the nearby provinces of Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, are capable of providing the current volume of rice requirements of Zamboanga City, the NFA official said.

Also, NFA is always keeping an inventory of at least 120,000 bags of rice and good for 20 days in Zamboanga City to address any possible problems of rice shortage or changes in the prices of rice.

The Zamboanga Columnists Club, headed by Betty Elago, invited Hermano to shed light on the city's food security at this period of global economic crisis and local peace and order problems.

Attending the news conference were the exclusive members of Zaco composed of editors, publishers and columnists of various local newspapers, including online media, in Zamboanga City. (Cheng Ordonez)