Mechanics for selling rice in Negros Occidental through the local government units will be discussed during the April 14 “Executive Briefing” in the Capitol called by the office of Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas, Raul Banias.

Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday said that if LGUs will act as rice outlets, mechanics and guidelines should be in place to ensure that everyone gets a fair share.

He said the guidelines will be finalized during the executive briefing that regional directors of different government agencies and the mayors in Negros Occidental are expected to attend.

Although the province has enough stocks of rice at the moment, Zayco said some households might already have resorted to hoarding or “panic buying”, which is more dangerous than the hoarding done by the traders.

Zayco reiterated that the province has enough rice supply, as assured by the National Food Authority and the Department of Agriculture, and there are still harvestable rice farmlands that can augment the NFA supply.

With 20 percent of rice consumption concentrated in Bacolod City, the governor said it is important that supply in the city should remain stable.

Meanwhile, aside from the concern over rice supply, Zayco said the mayors are also expected to present their priority projects to the regional directors who will attend the executive briefing.*NAB

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