Gradual phaseout of P18.25 NFA rice in the market starts this week
The National Food Authority (NFA) has started its gradual phase out of the NFA rice that is being sold at P18.25 a kilo in the Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGP) to be replaced by a high-end variety or the Thailand rice to be sold at P25.00 per kilogram.
NFA Iloilo manager Hedy Jardeleza said unloading of the 80,000 bags of Thailand rice was completed next week.
"We will make it gradual because there are poor sectors that are accessing their rice supply through the BGP. We cannot phase it out right away from the market," she said.
The move is also one strategy to ensure that NFA rice being sold at P18.25 will really be availed by the poorest of the poor families because it will now only be sold in Tindahan Natin (TN) outlets that are being managed by the barangays.
"This is a highly subsidized variety," she said.
Meanwhile, aside from the BGP and the TN, NFA rice can also be accessed at the Tindahan sa Parokya (TSP), Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) for Rebel Returnees.
Jardeleza announced that NFA has accredited 315 outlets all over Iloilo to include 79 BGP; 217 TN; 14 TSP and five for KALAHI. (PNA)