NFA RICE IMPORT: FROM QUESTIONABLE TO SUSPICIOUS!

I earlier wrote that the NFA’s plan to import 300.000 metric tons (MT) of rice is highly questionable.

From highly questionable, I now describe it as SUSPICIOUS!

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala categorically declared that there will be no shortage of rice since harvest has been good across the country.

He said production is even expected to EXCEED the projected 7.6 million metric tons for the DRY CROPPING SEASON, the most CRITICAL period when the volume usually falls.

So why the hell still import?

The ONLY justification Alcala can give is just to be safe. Take note, guys, the 300,000 MT is on top of 860,000 MT set for importation.

Reports say the 300,000 MT costs some P4 billion. Even one percent of that is a cool P40 million. And while Alcala says there will be no shortage, the Government claims that the country has a PRODUCYION SHORTFALLl of 1.3 MT.

But media reports DID NOT CITE ANY BASIS or explanation on how the 1.3 million was arrived at. No validation or certification from even one organization of farmers or rice land owners. No DETAILED BREAKDOWN of the available stocks and where to find these.

No MAJOR REASON was given for the supposed production shortfall. Neither was anything cited on what the NFA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has done, or are doing, to address the problem

Recent floods in the Visayas and Mindanao were blamed for reduced rice production. But an intelligence report also clarified that the floods did NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE potential harvests.

The production shortfall because of the Visayas and Mindanao floods was not also specified in the report. And take note, Visayas and Mindanao are NOT THE BIGEST rice producers of the country.

It’s Central Luzon, and farmers there HAVE NOT YET RAISED the alarm of a production shortfall. Nor has there been any occurrence, like FLOODS or DROUGH, that can drastically reduce rice harvests

Lastly, whatever happened to the supposed over-importation of rice during the previous administration? Where are the stocks? Who’s the custodian and how have these been disposed? Where’s the breakdown, and the money from the stocks sold?

Join me in asking these questions, ladies and gentlemen. It’s US WHO WILL PAY for the planned importation WITH OUR TAXES, NOT THE NFA. The NFA will just represent us in this SUSPICIOUS DEAL. 30