Team formed to monitor NFA rice distribution
ROXAS CITY – Governor Victor Tanco, Sr. will create a team to monitor the procurement, sale and distribution of National Food Authority (NFA) rice amidst reports of irregularities.
In his Administrative Order No. 017, Tanco directed acting provincial administrator, Zoe Herrera, to organize a team composed of provincial personnel to be stationed at the warehouses of the NFA.
The functions of the team are: 1) to monitor the procurement/withdrawals and/or purchase of rice from the NFA for distribution and sale at the "Tindahan Natin" outlets as an urgent remedial measure to provide relief to the typhoon victims; 2) to ensure that the NFA rice so procured for the purpose stated above reach the intended outlets and sold at the regulated price dictated by the NFA; 3) to check and verify the veracity of reports and information that there are unscrupulous traders and millers, in conspiracy with some government officials, who purchase in bulk said NFA rice to be sold as commercial rice or mixed with commercial rice and sold at a commercial price; 4) to report any anomalous practices or any such abuses to the proper authorities for appropriate action; and 5) to avail of the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Earlier, Cuartero SB Member Ronald Guillermo reported during the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) meeting that there are barangay officials in his town who conspire with the traders to withdraw rice from the NFA in the form of "ready-made" resolutions. He said that the unscrupulous traders provide capital money to the barangay officials to buy NFA rice and also give P10,000 as reward to them.
Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin added that he has noticed that the NFA rice intended for "Tindahan Natin" outlets are not visible.
On the other hand, NFA personnel present during the meeting strongly denied participation over the reported irregularities by saying that they only release rice upon presentation of necessary documents.
Meanwhile, the governor also issued two executive orders, one is to organize a price monitoring council and another to regulate the milling of existing stocks of palay and monitor the selling or bringing out of palay or rice outside the province of Capiz.