Farmers’ group backs DA move on NFA buffer stocks sale issue

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines  –  The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Tuesday expressed its support to the investigation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the National Food Authority’s (NFA) sale of rice buffer stocks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel ‘s move to suspend NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco and 138 other NFA officials should “immediately stop” illegal activities, FFF said.

“Laurel’s decisive action, including his temporary assumption of the NFA leadership, should immediately stop any illegal activity and signal that he will not tolerate any questionable practice,” FFF Chairman and former agriculture secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor said in a statement.

Bioco and the others were suspended for six months, starting on March 4.

The FFF added that provisions must be made on the handling of the agency’s rice stocks to prevent potential abuses.

“Stricter rules must be put in place on when and how these ageing stocks are disposed of, and at what price, in order to avoid discretion and potential collusion between NFA officials and private buyers,” Montemayor added.

Montemayor also said that the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) should also be reviewed to give more clarity on how the NFA will replenish its stocks.

“Under the law, the NFA can replenish its buffer stocks only by buying palay from local farmers. What if farmers do not want to sell to it because its buying price is too low, as is the case today? In turn, RTL prohibits NFA from importing, so where will the agency get its stocks?,” he added.