THE Bacolod City Council has asked the National Food Authority (NFA) to establish a mechanism of selling rice in coordination with the barangays as an immediate solution to the recent increase in rice prices.
The resolution was addressed to Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, and to NFA Negros Occidental Provincial Manager Procopio Trabajo.
The resolution, filed by Councilor Caesar Distrito, stated that it is the thrust of the government to ensure stability of supply of rice and to closely monitor its prices.
The sudden increase in rice prices in markets added burden to our constituents, particularly to those who are in poverty, it said, adding that the recent importation of rice is supposed to prevent price increase but eventually, prices increased by two pesos per kilo in the markets.
Rice hoarding has been cited as one of the reasons why supply shortage of rice in the markets are rampant which caused its sudden price increase.
The best way of making selling and distribution of rice accessible is for the NFA to tap the barangays, which are at the forefront in delivering public service, the resolution stated.
"Most of our constituents go to their barangay halls to ask for support, however, most barangays, due to limited resources cannot readily provide for them," Distrito said in the resolution.
However, if the NFA will create certain mechanisms that will involve them, certainly our constituents can easily buy inexpensive rice that the national government provides, it added. (CNC)