NFA OIC ordered to prep all docs to aid probe into sale of rice stocks

FILE PHOTO: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. orders National Food Authority (NFA) officer-in-charge Piolito Santos to prepare all documents needed to investigate the controversial sale of rice buffet stocks. PDI / RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered National Food Authority (NFA) officer-in-charge Piolito Santos to prepare all documents needed to investigate the controversial sale of rice buffet stocks.

Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said Tiu’s directive is in line with his eagerness to make sure that everything would be available for the probe being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman, the agency’s Internal Audit Service, and an independent panel.

De Mesa also said that involved NFA officials and personnel should be prepared to face the investigation.

“Nag-issue na rin ng necessary order ang ating Kalihim para masigurado nga na tuluy-tuloy ang operasyon ng National Food Authority,” the DA spokesperson said, adding that officers were likewise appointed to watch over NFA warehouses to allow continued operations.

(Our Secretary has also issued the necessary order to ensure that the operation of the National Food Authority continues.)

The Ombudsman earlier ordered a six-month preventive suspension against NFA chief Roderico Bioco and 138 other officials and employees for their alleged involvement in selling rice buffer stocks.

The country’s buffer stock is reserved for cases of emergency should rice supplies fall short of the optimal level.

Bioco, however, maintained that no irregularities were committed in disposing of the government’s rice stocks.

During a hearing of the House committee on agriculture and food on Thursday, March 7, Bioco said existing NFA rules and regulations were followed in the sale of the rice buffer stocks. He also explained that the sale was only made to ensure the rice was properly disposed of before it became unsuitable for human consumption.

But in the same hearing, NFA Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan told House lawmakers that Bioco and other officials violated Presidential Decree No. 4, which states that large volumes of stocks sold through the agency’s central office should be approved by its council and undergo public bidding.