NFA to double rice supply to counter price hike of comm'l rice
BACOLOD CITY – National Food Authority (NFA) in the province will double its rice supply starting this week to counter the rising prices of commercial rice.
NFA provincial head Pablito Gemarino said they will flood the markets NFA rice since another 120,000 bags of Vietnam rice will arrive before the end of February.
The News Today received various reports from the consuming public regarding the increase in the price of commercial rice sold in various markets and stores all over the province.
It was then confirmed by no less than Nonilo Nacion, president of the Grains Retailers Confederation - Negros Occidental chapter.
"The regular milled rice that cost P1, 200 before now costs P1,390 to P1,400 and this is because of higher rice prices from Iloilo," he added.
He cited that heavy rains is a big factor for it saying that rice mills in Panay could not use their regular drying facilities instead they had to use mechanical dryers.
"High demand of rice especially in Mindanao also contributed to the increase since the crops of most of the provinces there were destroyed by heavy rains," Nacion added.
Negros Occidental will be having its harvest this March that's why the commercial rice in the province is also lacking.