Press Release
March 28, 2008

ROXAS: SUSPENSION OF NFA OFFICIALS PROVES THAT
DIVERSION EXISTS

REITERATES CALL FOR LEDAC TO MEET ON RICE PROBLEM

Senator Mar Roxas said the suspension of two provincial National Food Authority (NFA) officers in Isabela was a healthy sign that the administration is finally acknowledging that there is indeed a serious rice problem.

"The suspension is just one small step for the DA but a giant leap for the entire administration because finally they are beginning to recognize what the rest of the country already knows - that there is a rice supply problem which may worsen unless we all work together to solve it," he added.

The senator warned however that the suspension should not be mere tokenism but the start of much needed reforms within the NFA. He also called on the government to file charges against the rice traders and hoarders caught repacking and reselling NFA rice for commercial distribution.

"Sa wakas, kinikilala na din ni Secretary Yap na totoong may problema sa supply ng bigas. Sa wakas, inaamin na nila na may diversion ng NFA rice na nagaganap lalo na sa probinsya ("At long last, Agriculture Secretary Yap has acknowledged that there is a rice supply problem and that NFA rice is being diverted to the commercial markets by unscrupulous traders," Roxas said.

The Liberal Party President said DA Secretary Arthur Yap's proposal to have an "open house" discussion with Congress on how to address the rice problem was long overdue. Roxas reiterated his call to the President to convene the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to fast-track a common agenda to ease the burden on farmers and consumers.

"An open house connotes an open mind, and this is precisely what was missing during the early part of the crisis. We have lost ground in addressing the problem because government was obviously still in a state of denial," the Chairman of the Senate Trade Committee said.

Aside from going after rice hoarders and errant officials, he called for the following actions by the executive: Immediately releasing the local government unit (LGU) calamity funds for the purpose of aiding the farmers with seeds, fertilizers and pesticides in order to ensure the next harvest is as plentiful as possible. Directing the LGUs to establish a food security early warning mechanism, particularly in the barangays, to ensure targeted distribution of rice especially to children and the elderly. Reactivating the peace process in insurgency areas to allow the unimpeded cultivation, planting, tending and harvesting of crops in these conflict areas. Creating special investigative and prosecutorial teams to run after hoarders, profiteers, members of the rice cartel as well as the corrupt elements in the NFA who have diverted the rice stocks from public outlets to private stores.

News Latest News Feed