NFA chief asked to resign
ROSALES– Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of the Abono partylist for farmers based here, has called on National Food Authority (NFA) Deputy Administrator Vic Jarina to resign on account of the government’s plan to import 400,000 tons of rice in December.
“Jarina does not know what he is saying. Our local production will be up to April next year. Why should we import 400,000 tons in December?,” So asserted.
In an interview with The PUNCH, So cited Bureau of Agricultural Statistics indicating that in the second half of the year, national production is expected at 9.82 million metric tons (MT) of palay equivalent to 122,750 sacks of rice, which will give the country six months of stock beginning October. The average consumption is pegged at 33,000 MT per month.
Abono is now preparing a letter addressed to President Gloria Arroyo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, the House of Representatives and the Senate to lobby for the resignation of Jarina.
So said the letter will also reiterate calls for solutions and attention to the long-standing problems and sentiments of local farmers, particularly those involving government policies on rice supply.
He added that the NFA should begin to buy the local palay at P17 per kilogram to help local farmers.
Palay is currently priced between P11 to P12 per kilogram, which, according to So, is barely the breakeven cost for farmers.
“What is NFA doing?,” So challenged.#
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
