NFA Council cites changes in private-led rice importation

June 13, 2017

The National Food Authority Council has proposed changes in the private sector-led rice importation to ensure the "best interest" of the public. In a statement on Tuesday, the NFA Council, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, said the council has approved the delivery period of private sector led importation or the minimum access volume program shall arrive in tranches. "At least 30 percent of the volume of import quotas should arrive between August and September, and the balance to arrive between December 2017 and February 2018," NFA Council said. The NFA Council earlier approved the need to activate the NFA's 250,000 metric tons stand by authority to import under the government to private (G2P) scheme from previous government-to-government scheme. As of June 7, the Domestic Rice Index Situation showed household and commercial stocks were in comfortable status with household stocks at 44 days and with commercial stocks at 28 days. NFA Council said the NFA administrator, whose duty is purely ministerial, shall immediately sign and release of import permits within one day after the rice traders completed all the requirements. The release of certificates of eligibility would also be done in two days, it added. The NFA Council also agreed to remove Subic Freeport Zone as port of entry for G2P and to include Zamboanga City as port of entry instead. (Celerina Monte/DMS)