The National Food Authority Council (NFAC), chaired by Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol, approved the special import allocation for 132,000 metric tons (MT) of rice  for Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZAMBASULTA).

NFAC, on August 29, 2018, agreed to allot 32,000 MT of rice from the unutilized Minimum Access Volume (MAV) as emergency response to the rice crisis in ZAMBASULTA. The stocks are expected to arrive within the next 15-20 days after the procurement process. The stock will be good for two months.

Meanwhile, the remaining 100,000 MT of rice will have to undergo the usual NFA guidelines related to Government to Private bidding process. These stocks will be used as buffer for the succeeding months.

Piñol also presented a proposal to establish a rice trading center that will serve as the unloading depot for rice delivered from outside ZAMBASULTA. This seeks to regulate the volume of staple coming in and ultimately address rice smuggling in the South and protect the mainland farmers.

“The allowed volume of rice coming in should not exceed the consumption requirement of the area,” Piñol said.

“The importers will be charged with tariffs and duties. They will be documented and inspected by Quarantine Officers,” he added. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)