Rice prices in N. Cotabato still up despite NFA rice; mixing by traders hit

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Philippines – The provincial head of the National Food Authority (NFA) in North Cotabato said traders could be mixing government rice with commercial varieties, which was why prices of the staple here has not softened at all.

A kilogram of well-milled rice here now sells P42, up P5 from the previous month’s price of P37 a kilogram.

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

In other provinces, the situation has been much worse as retailers there sell rice at an average of P44 per kilogram.

Avelino Usman, provincial NFA manager, said while the release of the NFA rice to the market has been aimed at arresting spiraling prices, increases in rice prices have not eased at all.

Usman said each month, since the lean season started, NFA has been releasing 40 sacks of rice to their retailers at the megamarket here alone each month.

But Usman said there have been reports that unscrupulous rice retailers would mix NFA rice – selling at P27 per kilogram for the ordinary variety and P32 per kilogram for the well-milled types – with commercial rice and sell these at higher prices.

He said while the reports have not been verified yet, “we cannot discount the possibility” that it must be true.

“That is why we are on constant monitoring of our various accredited outlets in the province,” Usman said.

He said dishonest rice retailers would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Usman, meanwhile, said there was no rice shortage in the province and that the food agency has more than enough stocks that could last until the harvest season.

“To date NFA-North Cotabato has 24,000 sacks that serve as buffer stocks, and 27,000 sacks of palay ready for milling,” he said.