DA to NFA: Ensure quality of P20/K rice

‘P20/K rice promise fulfilled’

- With Rainier Allan Ronda, Delon Porcalla

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has directed regional managers and key officials of the National Food Authority (NFA) to ensure that rice to be retailed at P20 per kilo is of high quality.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who chairs the NFA Council, said the subsidized rice program provides the agency with an opportunity to change public perception of NFA rice, which has long been associated with poor quality.

"This is our chance to change how people view NFA rice," he said recently.

"We want to show that the rice we provide to those in need is not only affordable, but also tasty, nutritious, and just as good as, if not better than, some imported varieties," he said.

The agriculture chief emphasized that the rice being distributed reflects the quality of produce from local farmers.

Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA no longer imports rice but focuses instead on domestic procurement to support farmers and stabilize prices.