Trade and Industry Secretary  Peter Favila said Friday there is no plan yet to lift the  order  for  a daily monitoring of  National Food Agency-sold  rice  to  accredited outlets  in  Negros Oriental.

He said the latest directive from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is to  strengthen  the  monitoring following reports  that some  outlets were selling NFA rice at more  than  the mandated P18.25  per kilo.

Favila, who was with the president in Dumaguete City to attend the 88th birthday celebration of  former  Rep. Herminio Teves Friday, echoed Arroyo’s earlier pronouncement that only  the marginalized sector of the community could  avail  of  the   NFA  rice.

Favila said he has not received  negative  reports  about the sale of NFA rice from  Negros  Oriental, unlike in other provinces  in  the  country.

He also assured that the price  monitoring  on  NFA  rice  will  be  strictly  monitored  by  the  Department  of  Trade  and Industry.       

During her  visit  at  the  Provider  Ministries  Church  under  the  inter-faith  rice  distribution program, Arroyo emphasized  that  NFA  rice  should   only  be  sold  to   the poor   who cannot  afford  to   buy  expensive  rice.

Favila said he  passed  by  some  of  the  NFA  outlets  in the province, and observed a more peaceful  and  systematic way in  the  distribution  even  with  the  longer  lines.

Meanwhile, he encouraged  the   private  traders   not  to take  advantage  of  the  perceived rice crises as  this would  only  add   to  the  panic-buying of  cheaper NFA rice by the  people.*MA

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