THE National Food Authority (NFA) wants the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to help spread the word about becoming accredited retailers.
In Cebu, the cheaper NFA rice has yet to be sold in supermarkets, even after a memorandum of agreement was signed between the NFA, Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa).
NFA 7 Director Fernando Nuñez said yesterday that Prince Warehouse Club, which was initially identified as the retail outlet that will sell NFA rice in its stores, has not begun selling NFA rice because it has yet to get supply from their warehouses.
Nuñez said they cannot force retailers if they do not sell NFA rice in their branches.
Prince Warehouse Club and Hypermart has several branches around the country and is a member of Pagasa, and is licensed to sell NFA rice in its branches.
Prince Retail president Robert Go told Superbalita Cebu that they will send their payment for the initial supply of NFA rice today.
“Our certification has been completed already and we will start the process of payment by check tomorrow (today) to Landbank,” Go said in a text message.
They target to have NFA rice displayed in their stores next week.
“Then we have to organize pull out of stocks by Monday and we can start selling by next week. This will be all stores in Cebu and Larena, Siquijor. Other stores such as Naval, Isabel, Baybay, Abuyog, Maasin, Silay, Sagay, Talisay in Negros, Bago City, Hinigaran, La Carlota, Himamaylan, Bayawan, and Tanjay are also in process.” The agreement states that retailers can sell the rice in two kilogram packs for P32 per kilo.
The memorandum of agreement was signed last month after the high price of rice was blamed for the high inflation.
In Central Visayas, Lee Plaza in Dumaguete has begun selling NFA rice in its supermarkets.
Meanwhile, Nuñez said they expect prices of commercial rice to decline by P3 per kilo nationwide, as the harvest season has begun. (HBL)