By Jet D. Antolin
A GROUP of farmers has criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) for feeding senior citizens, solo parents, and people with disabilities (PWDs) with weevil-infested and old rice.
This is the allegation of Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women because the Rice 29 from the DA and NFA being sold to these sectors of society for P29 per kilo allegedly has no difference from the old weevil-infested rice.
“The incompetence, neglect, and anti-poor stance of this government can be seen as even old rice is sold and fed to impoverished consumers. If they want to sell cheap rice, the quality should be good and not like a ghost that the poor have no choice but to follow their whims,” said Zenaida Soriano, Chairperson of Amihan.
The two government agencies selling rice to solo parents, the elderly, and those with disabilities for P29 at Kadiwa Centers where they are limited to buying only five kilos. Due to the high price of rice in the market where the cheapest is P55 per kilo, these sectors of society line up for Rice 29 but allegedly it is old stock with weevils.
“If rice is to be made affordable, the call to strengthen local production remains. This means that with political will, they will not sell old rice, especially if there is a comprehensive plan for buying rice from farmers and selling affordable and quality rice in markets nationwide,” Soriano added.
The group is also disappointed because while they continue to call for the strengthening of local production and the rice industry in the country, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. responded with Executive Order (62) to reduce the tariff on imported rice by 15% from 35%.
