'NFA lost P112 M after rice sale to traders'

The National Food Authority (NFA) has incurred losses of at least P112 million after the sale of 150,000 bags of rice at only P25 per kilo to some traders, according to a farmers’ group.

- BELLA CARIASO

Jayson Cainglet, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director, noted that while corruption at the NFA is an open secret, officials have become more daring in their illegal activities.

“What happened was very glaring. Before, the anomalies we heard at the NFA underwent bidding or auction. In this recent incident, there was no bidding. Traders were chosen, only two (traders) benefited. That was a red flag already,” Cainglet pointed out.

He noted that the NFA bought palay from local farmers at P23 per kilo and sold some of its stocks to the traders at only P25 per kilo.

“It was OK if the rice was sold to the agencies of government, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Kadiwa, as it will benefit the ordinary people. But it was sold to private traders,” Cainglet said.

Noting that the NFA spends between P13 and P14 per kilo for the milling of palay, Cainglet explained that this meant the agency “incurred losses of P12 to P13 per kilo.”

“If it involved 150,000 bags (of rice), then it means P112 million in losses to the NFA,” he said.

He added that the NFA could have, at the least, sold the rice at P40 per kilo.

“We expect that with the investigation of the DA (Department of Agriculture), the Office of the Ombudsman, the House of Representatives and the Senate, those liable will be made accountable,” Cainglet said.