The National Food Authority in Negros Oriental yesterday assured that the province is not experiencing rice shortage, amid public concerns over the recent increase in the prices of commercial rice.

NFA assistant provincial manager Francisco Lorico Jr. said the grains agency has a buffer stock of 40,000 bags of rice, enough to address the requirements of the province.

About 200,000 additional bags of rice to be imported from either Vietnam or Thailand are also expected to arrive on a staggered basis to cover the next six months, Lorico  added.

Unlike commercial rice prices that have zoomed in recent weeks, prices of NFA rice remain stable, he said.

NFA rice slightly increased by 25 centavos last September, from P18 a kilo to P18.25 a kilo now, but there will be no further price adjustments in the near future, Lorico said.

Lorico also noted that the increase in the prices of commercial rice is not unusual, and was spurred by a variety of events, such as low production due to weather conditions and the world market's prices of the staple.

He said the NFA is prepared to address any shortfall of rice stocks in the province.

Meanwhile, he also allayed fears of rice hoarding by unscrupulous individuals who might manipulate the local market to substantiate the need to hike the prices of rice.

Starting next week, the NFA will not allow the release of government rice to traders unless escorted by an NFA employee or the staple will be delivered to them at a minimal fee, he said.*JG

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