The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol has suspended the release of rice to authorized retail outlets in the region to meet the needs of thousands of evacuees affected by Mount Mayon’s eruptions.
Lilibeth Antivola-Jacob, information officer of NFA Bicol, said the suspension started on Jan. 18 and would be lifted once the NFA replenished its stock.
“We have limited supply of rice not only here in Bicol, but in the entire country,” she said.
The lack of NFA rice at authorized retail outlets in Bicol has caused a P1 to P4 increase in prices of commercial rice.
“We strongly appeal to businessmen not to increase prices of commercial rice,” Jacob said. —Michael B. Jaucian