‘Rice phase out’ saddens Negrenses

BACOLOD. Rice outlets at Bacolod City Central Market are expected to receive weekly allocation of National Food Authority rice until August this year, pending the final implementing rules and regulations of the Rice Import and Export Liberalization Law. (Erwin Nicavera)
BACOLOD. Rice outlets at Bacolod City Central Market are expected to receive weekly allocation of National Food Authority rice until August this year, pending the final implementing rules and regulations of the Rice Import and Export Liberalization Law. (Erwin Nicavera)

SOME consumers in Negros Occidental were saddened by the impending “phase out” of the P27 per kilogram government rice among markets in the province due to the Rice Import and Export Liberalization Law.

The National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Occidental earlier said that pending the issuance of the final version of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the distribution of the cheaper rice in the province will continue.

Based on last week's inventory, the province still has a buffer of about 195,000 bags.

These stocks are up for distribution until August this year as long as there's no new order mandating the NFA to stop the distribution.

For consumer Lablab Manalo, a mother of two from Barangay 13 in Bacolod City, the P27 per kilogram NFA rice has been part of her family's food table.

Given her husband's meager income as a vendor, Manalo said their stomachs are tied with the cheaper government rice.

“Aside from its cheaper price, NFA rice's quality is also competitive with that of commercial rice,” she said, adding that the impending “phase out” of the P27 rice in the market is a sad development.

“Poor consumers like us are left with no option. We'll be forced to buy commercial rice with prices that are double compared to NFA rice,” Manalo said.

Prevailing prices of commercial rice at the Bacolod City Central Market range from P40 to P52 per kilogram depending on classification.

These prices are slightly higher than the suggested retail prices (SRPs) set for the commodity.

Based on the general guidelines stated on the Memorandum Circular issued by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on October 24, the SRPs set for local rice range from P39 to P47 per kilogram depending on classification.

Regular milled rice costs P39 per kilogram while well-milled and premium rice cost P44 to P47 per kilogram, respectively.

For imported rice, on the other hand, the SRP for well-milled is P39 per kilogram. While, those for premium grade one and two are P43 and P40 per kilogram, respectively.

Under the guidelines, special rice such as glutinous, aromatic, pigmented, japonica and micronutrient-dense rice are not covered by the SRPs.

Other consumers said NFA's absence in the market would mean additional burden and struggle for households belonging to the marginalized sector.

Most consumers are taking advantage of the remaining days where NFA rice is still available in the local market by increasing the volume they purchase.

Since consumers are allowed to buy only up to five kilograms per rice outlet, others are buying from more than one retailers.

Effective March 5, the Rice Import and Export Liberalization Law removed the regulatory functions of the NFA over international and domestic trading of rice.

NFA-Negros Occidental, like other provincial offices, can no longer act on licensing and registration of persons and entities engaged in the grains business, and collection of regulatory fees.

Other functions stripped from the agency included issuance of negotiable warehouse receipts, warehouse inspection, authority to seize hoarded stocks, and enforce rules and regulations in the grains business.

For accredited retailers in the city, the tariffication measure would also mean “opportunity loss” for them.

Arnel Malayang, president of Rice Retailers Association at the central market, said when price of commercial rice increases, most consumers are resorting to NFA rice.

The four accredited retailers at the central market are receiving a weekly allocation of 50 bags each.

Malayang said they have no choice but to “focus” on commercial rice once NFA rice is no longer available.

“It would be advantageous if there's NFA rice in the market as, for one, it helps stabilize the price of commercial rice,” Malayang said.

Aside from reduction on potential income, local retailers are apprehensive of the possible surge in buying prices of commercial rice from the traders, he added.

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