DUMAGUETE CITY -- The National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Oriental is inviting different sectors of the community to a “taste test” of government rice to debunk misconceptions about it.

“Among gihimo kining taste test aron ang mga tawo maka sulti nga dili tinood ang pagtuo sa uban nga kining NFA rice baho, makakabuhi, ug dili maayong quality (we are holding the taste test so that people who have tasted it can disprove the belief of many that NFA rice is smelly, can cause heartburn or gastric discomfort, and is not of good quality),” NFA provincial manager Hilaria Ganzon said in an interview Friday afternoon, September 21.

According to her, the taste test is part of the local celebration of Grains Industry Week, which started on September 20 and will run up to September 26, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1058, issued August 20, 1997.

The Grains Industry Week celebration is held each year to coincide with the NFA’s founding anniversary every September 26, Danzon noted.

The NFA here will hold the taste test in an open warehouse and a forum/briefing/Ugnayan at its provincial office in Pulantubig, Dumaguete City on September 25.

“Magluto mi ug NFA rice aron ipatilaw sa mga gi imbitar namo (we will be cooking NFA rice for testing by those whom we have invited) to the taste test,” Ganzon said.

Government agencies and other sector representatives and the media have been invited as part of NFA’s “Ugnayan” to the taste test and briefing, where agency officials will speak about the agency's mandate, as well as give updates on its rice importation and available buffer stocks, among other things, Ganzon added.

Also, a stationary store at the NFA’s office compound will be put up on the same day for those who want to buy government rice at P32 a kilo.

The theme for this year’s Grains Industry Week celebration is “Tuloy Ang Serbisyo Sa Sambayanang Pilipino.” (PNA)