The National Food Authority in Negros Occidental has stepped up its Rice Distribution Program to boost rice supply in the province during the lean months from June to August.

Manuel Castañares, NFA assistant provincial manager, said yesterday the 72,000 bags of rice from Vietnam that arrived Monday is part of their rice inventory for the period. Also, 83,000 bags from Thailand will arrive this month.

In Negros Occidental, the NFA has 90 Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke outlets, 13 Bigasan sa Parokya outlets, and 23 Tindahan Natin outlets. It has also 27 accredited retailers.

NFA outlets and retailers sell an average of 3,567 bags a day.

ENFORCEMENT, MONITORING

Meanwhile, NFA imposed penalties on operators of 19 outlets and four ricemills from January to May this for violation of the agency's rules and regulations.

Porferio Lesidan, senior enforcement and investigation officer, said the violations included diversion and unreasonable depletion of NFA rice, improper or inadequate display of NFA rice, no NFA license for rice milling, selling or storing of commercial rice in Bigasan ni Gloria outlets exclusive for NFA rice.

The outlets were closed upon inspection, he said.

Lesidan said the fines vary depending on the violation, but not lower than P1,000, and his office collected P38,000 from fines during the first five months.

Castañares said grains businessmen and Tindahan Natin operators are required to sell NFA rice at P18 per kilo and to make the rice available in their outlets.

Grains businessmen and TN operators are asked to sign a Deed of Undertaking as a guide to NFA rules and regulations.*NLG

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