(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the speedy reopening of padlocked National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, the agency said on Thursday.
According to the DA, 99 NFA warehouses are still padlocked after the Ombudsman suspended over 100 NFA officials and employees over the allegedly anomalous sale of rice buffer stock to private traders.
“We will ensure that all padlocked warehouses will be opened soonest to optimize the impact of NFA’s procurement activities on rice farmers’ income as well as secure the maximum volume of palay for buffer stocking,” said Laurel in a statement,
The DA transferred the authority over 99 NFA warehouses to the deputies of the suspended warehouse operators.
The Ombudsman later lifted the suspension of 23 NFA personnel.