Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday pressed for the resignation of National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino, over reports that the agency’s rice reserve had been wiped out.
“I call for the resignation of NFA Administrator Jason Aquino,” Poe said in a statement. “If there is indeed a zero percent buffer of rice, this is an indication of the inefficiency of his leadership.”
“The NFA’s buffer stock is a lifeline for the thousands of Filipinos who subsist on rice and little else. Rice is the most important staple food for at least 10 million poor Filipinos,” she added.
Poe found it “unbelievable” that the supply of NFA rice had been depleted “at a time when the country’s rice production hit a record high.”
“This situation is directly attributed to the inefficient management at the NFA, which is mandated to ensure the availability of affordable rice. The current NFA officials have been remiss in their duties and responsibilities,” she said.
“Sa panahong sa Hunyo pa darating ang inangkat na bigas para mapunuan ang kakulangan, saan na hahagilap ng murang bigas ang ating mga kababayan?”
Poe said the NFA chief should be replaced by somebody who has the capability and track record to efficiently run the agency.
“This is the first time that we experienced this and we cannot afford to repeat this scenario,” the senator added.
Senator Bam Aquino also renewed his call for the resignation of top NFA officials for their “incompetence” which he said led to the total depletion of its rice reserve in the market.
“Lalong tataas ang presyo ng bigas ngayong ubos na ang stock ng NFA rice. Napipilitan nang magbawas ng kanin ang mga karaniwang Pilipino, at posibleng isang beses kada araw na lang ang paghain nila ng kanin para sa pamilya,” he said in a separate statement.
“Hinahayaan lang ng NFA na lumaki ang problema na dulot ng kanilang kapalpakan. Dapat lang na palitan na ang NFA administrator at magtakda ng bagong pinuno na may kakayahang solusyunan ito.”
The senator also noted that during a Senate hearing, the NFA administrator admitted that the agency had failed to comply with the 15-day buffer stock policy for almost one year.
This inefficiency, Senator Aquino said, has resulted in the increase in prices of rice, forcing Filipino families to spend more for their staple food.
“Ang 35 Pesos per kilo ng bigas noon, 45 Pesos na ngayon. Limandaang Piso ang dagdag nito sa gastusin ng pamilyang Pilipino kada buwan kung isang kilong bigas ang kanilang nakokonsumo bawat araw. Nangyari ito dahil sa kapabayaan ng NFA sa kanilang tungkulin,” he added /muf