NFA sold rice worth P12B without conducting a bidding process

Farmers accused the National Food Authority (NFA) of selling millions of rice sacks to private traders since 2019 without proper bidding. According to the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), around 5.6 million sacks were sold in 2021 and 4 million in 2022, depleting the NFA’s inventory drastically. These sales amounted to P12 billion, with each 50-kilo sack sold for P1,250. FFF noted that the alleged improper sale of 75,000 bags earlier this year was just a small part of the larger issue. They called for investigations into the matter, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in NFA operations under the Rice Tariffication Law. Newly appointed NFA Officer in Charge Larry Lacson stated that investigations are underway, urging patience for the results. Meanwhile, FFF urged swift action to address the anomalies, ensuring the NFA’s return to normal operations, especially with the upcoming harvest season.

News: NFA sold rice worth P12B without conducting a bidding process