By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the expose’ of Senator Raffy Tulfo that an NFA (National Food Authority) quality officer had passed off good rice as bad to allow its sale to certain traders, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is now considering tapping an independent laboratory to test the quality of rice from the said agency.
In his privilege speech on Monday (11 March 2024), Tulfo said under the alleged scheme, the NFA will buy unmilled rice or palay for P24 a kilo. A P2-per-kilo subsidy from the Palay Marketing Assistance Program for Legislators and Local Government Units (PALLGU) is then added to the NFA’s buying price.
“There could be ways, for example, an independent laboratory to analyze hindi na NFA para maging mas independent [so that it will be independent from the NFA],” DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said in reaction to the hard-hitting radio journalist-turned-lawmaker’s claim.
De Mesa added that reviewing existing policies of the NFA is also being considered.
“Ang talagang policy governing body ng NFA [ay] ang NFA Council, so guided ng mga resolutions ang mga action. So ‘yun din isang tinitignan, kung talaga bang nasunod mga patakaran na in-issue ng council noong 2019 hanggang current,” he clarified.
(el Ammigo/MNM)
