DSWD mulls purchasing commercial rice

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it is considering options to purchase commercial rice in case the National Food Authority (NFA) runs insufficient of supply. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA –The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it is considering options to purchase commercial rice in case the National Food Authority (NFA) runs insufficient of supply.

“In case there will be a shortage of NFA rice, the Department will explore purchasing commercial rice. As an institution mandated to quickly implement relief operations in times of disaster, our paramount concern is to ensure that ample family food packs are available for distribution to displaced families.” said DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco.

Leyco, however, assured the public that the current issue of low supply of rice from the NFA will not affect the social welfare department’s disaster relief operations in areas affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption.

Mayon’s eruption has sent thousands of people to evacuation camps, where they currently fed by local government units and the DSWD in part with rice from the NFA.

“If this happens, DSWD needs to secure a certification from the NFA clearly stating their inability to supply the requirements of the Department. Only then can DSWD consider other rice source options. This is based on Executive Order 58 series of 1998,” the DSWD Official explained.

Leyco said the agency is closely coordinating with the NFA since the department uses rice from the NFA for its family food packs being provided to families affected by disasters, in an effort to augment the assistance of local government units.

“So far, the Department has stocks of NFA rice that will last until the first week of March,” Leyco added.