NFA workers unload tons of rice imported from Vietnam. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
KORONADAL CITY – Amid reports of commercial rice mixed with those imported by the National Food Authority (NFA), the agency’s provincial office in South Cotabato has so far found only a minor violation involving grains retailers.
Guialudin Usman, NFA South Cotabato manager, said at least eight retailers have been suspended from selling NFA rice for failure to display price tags.
“This is a violation of NFA guidelines,” Usman said.
He said under NFA guidelines, retailers were mandated to display price tags so as not to confuse consumers.
He said for two weeks, the retailers would not be able to sell NFA rice, although they could sell commercial rice.
Usman said the NFA also ordered the suspended retailers to explain in writing why they failed to display the price for the NFA rice they were selling.
“These accredited rice outlets might lose the privilege of selling the cheap rice if they cannot justify the reason for not putting the price tag on their NFA rice display,” Usman said.
Usman, meanwhile, said the NFA was serious in its campaign against unscrupulous traders and warned those violating the rules that they would be prosecuted if caught.
He said the NFA – in coordination with the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – has deployed teams that would conduct surprise inspections in markets across South Cotabato.
“We are also verifying reports of rice hoarding and mixing done by some unscrupulous rice retailers,” he said.
So far, Usman said the NFA has not caught any trader hoarding or mixing NFA rice with the commercial after several inspections done in warehouses.
RELATED STORY
Price of rice spikes despite continued NFAimportation