The Department of Agriculture has ordered the transfer of authority of suspended NFA warehousemen to their deputies to facilitate the reopening of closed NFA warehouses.
Around 99 NFA warehouses remained closed after the Ombudsman suspended 141 NFA managers and employees amid allegations of anomalous sale of rice buffer stocks. The Ombudsman has lifted the suspension of two dozen NFA employees since imposing the preventive suspension on March 4.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr, who also chairs the NFA Council, said the re-opening of padlocked warehouses would help normalize operations of the grains agency, which has started to procure palay from farmers.
“We will ensure that all padlocked warehouses will be opened soonest to optimize the impact of NFA’s procurement activities on rice farmers’ income as well as secure the maximum volume of palay for buffer stocking,” the agri chief said.
Under the Rice Tarrification Law, the NFA must maintain a national buffer stock enough for 9 days consumption to cover the rice supply requirements during disasters and other natural calamities. The rice stocks must be sourced from local farmers.
Last week, the NFA Council unanimously appointed Director IV Larry Lacson as OIC-Administrator of the grains agency to handle its day-to-day operations.
Lacson has started to go around the country to inspect NFA facilities and warehouses and meet with NFA employees.
Lacson also joined NFA teams already buying palay from farmers.
