NFA's 'Tindahan ni Gloria' now reaches depressed areas

Residents in some mountainous and depressed areas in the province of Iloilo can now avail anytime the rice sold by the National Food Authority (NFA) at “Tindahan ni Pangulong Gloria Stationary Stores” located at their parishes. This will not anymore require them  to spend time and extra mile just to buy rice from the town's market.

Access to the “Tindahan ni Pangulong Gloria Stationary Stores” are made easy by the NFA to help alleviate the condition of the rural families and to mitigate the possible ill-effects of the oil price hike and the impending fare increase”, said NFA Iloilo Provincial Manager Hedy Jardeleza.

She added that this is an innovation of the former NFA rolling store that was deployed to designated areas of the province at scheduled periods which they have observed to have not effectively serviced the target beneficiaries due to their financial incapability during the visits of the rolling stores.

“During our visit, we often hear people in the area, like the trisikad drivers complain that they still have to work hard all day long to earn the necessary amount to purchase rice and other basic commodities”, said Jardeleza adding, “now with the Tindahan ni Gloria they can buy their staple food anytime from it while we use the rolling store vans for delivery of rice instead in these stores”.

To ensure democratic access to the services of these stores, Jardeleza said, they have negotiated with the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center for the establishment and operation of these stores by the Parish Pastoral Councils.

“We tapped the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center in this project because of their commitment to do social service and with that we are assured that NFA rice will be sold at the prescribed price”, explained the Provincial Manager.  

At present, there are 12 accredited “Tindahan ni Pangulong Gloria Stationary Stores” in Iloilo province which are all operational. Four of these are located in far-flung barangays like Brgy. Bado in Calinog, Brgy. Igbugo, Miag-ao, Brgy. Pitugo, San Joaquin and Durog, Leon. The rest are in Brgy. Layog, Maasin; Culasi, Ajuy; Sta. Monica, Oton; Poblacion, Bingawan; Poblacion, Batad; Poblacion, Maasin; Poblacion, Balasan and MH del Pilar, Jaro.

Jardeleza noted that they have received good feedbacks especially from residents of those far-flung barangays for the opportunity.

In Iloilo City, those who cannot afford to buy commercial rice sold at very high prices could also avail of the government rice at individual retailers' outlets accredited by the NFA. These are located in Bo. Obrero and Zone 1 in Lapuz; Duran, Veteran's Village; Tabuc Suba, Taft North and Buntatala in Jaro; Mojon, Arevalo and San Pedro, Molo.

Jardeleza also revealed that all the town markets in the province except for the municipality of Carles and minor and major markets in the city of Iloilo have NFA accredited “Bigasang Bayan”.

“This distribution strategy will make sure that the staple food sold at affordable prices will be accessible to all”, said Jardeleza.

Currently, NFA local rice is sold at P16.00/kilo and P18.00/kilo for the imported rice (Vietnam rice) compared to the regular and well-milled commercial rice sold at P22 to P25/kilo. (PIA)