Rep. Henry Pryde Teves (Neg. Or., 3rd district) ordered Friday the National Food Authority in Negros Oriental to hold the distribution of rice under the Food for School Program of the Department of Education.

Teves   said he was alarmed upon learning that the NFA is still distributing one kilo of rice per student to recipient schools, even during vacation months.

He said that when he asked for a copy of the program budget from DepEd national office he was given the old approved allocation.

Teves said he  was  surprised  to note  that the  children are still receiving  free  one kilo  of   rice  everyday even  during  vacation,  just  to complete  the  35-day  requirement  under  the program.

A report reaching his office revealed that the provincial office has completed the delivery of rice in Siaton, Sta. Catalina and Basay, while Dauin, Zamboanguita and Bayawan are not yet through.

Teves and Gov. Emilio Macias II agreed  in a meeting that  the  rice  allocation  for  the program will be delivered  to recipients, but  will be received  by the mayor  and  the  DepEd division superintendent, who will give it to students during the opening of classes in  June.

Also present at the meeting were Board Members Ernesto Tijing, Marcelo Adanza, Ruel De Gamo and NFA assistant provincial manager Francisco Lorico.

Lorico  said they  just  followed orders  from  their main office requiring them to  deliver  the  rice to recipient  schools  even  during  vacation. 

Teves said there is an urgent need to monitor the delivery of NFA rice, to avert the looming rice crisis in the country.

The provincial government has a total allocation of P22 million divided equally to 18 recipients towns and cities. These include Ayungon, Basay, Bindoy, Canlaon City, Guihulngan City, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Pamplona, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Tayasan, Vallehermoso, Zamboanguita and Dauin.*MA

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