By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
Laoag
City—Before unscrupulous rice traders
attempt to deceive consumers, the National Food Authority based in this city has
created a “palengke watch team” to monitor rice prices and to ensure sufficient
supply here.
So far, Ilocos Norte
maintains an adequate supply of NFA rice with available stocks of 30,000 bags,
enough to sustain the province local consumption covering the lean months of
June to September, said NFA provincial manager Beverlyn Peralta.
Based on initial report of
the NFA price monitoring team, Ms. Peralta said NFA-accredited outlets are
selling commercial stocks from P27 toP32 and well-milled rice pegged from P40-42
per kilogram.
Compared to other provinces
in Luzon, Ms. Peralta said there had been no monitored rice price hike except
for premium stocks or special rice which is more expensive by at least P4 per
kilogram.
Ms. Peralta said it is but
natural for traders to increase prices because the buying prices of palay this
harvest season also increase.
Because NFA buys palay at
P17.70/kg during the harvest season, some Ilocos farmers sold their produce to
Bulacan traders buying the same at P20-P25/kg.
The NFA assured rice hoarding
or price manipulation is being strictly monitored in the province as the NFA
regularly hold meetings with traders and millers to remind them that the rising
prices of commodities are affecting millions of Filipinos.
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