MANGGAHAN, Pasig City — The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has expressed opposition over plans to sell rice stocks by the National Food Authority (NFA) to local government units (LGUs), saying the proposed move as illegal and detrimental to the welfare of local farmers.

According to FFF national manager Raul Montemayor, in order for government to warrant the sale of NFA rice at negotiated prices, it needs to declare a food emergency because it is stipulated under Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 12708, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act. that the disposal of aging NFA stocks should be done through public auction.

Montemayor pointed out that “the option to sell to LGUs at negotiated prices is allowed under Section 2 of the law only when there is a food security emergency on rice due to supply shortage or an extraordinary increase in rice prices."

This, he added, is based on a formula to be devised by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).
“I don’t think the DA (Department of Agriculture) has declared a food security emergency. So the sale of NFA buffer stocks to LGUs at negotiated prices is questionable,” the farmers' leader enthused.

“Instead of using NFA stocks to lower rice prices, which is not the primary purpose of these stocks, the DA should run after profiteering importers, wholesalers and retailers,” he added.

Initially, agriculture assistant secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa had confirmed the plan of the NFA to sell rice stocks to Metro Manila mayors and allow the local executives to resell the government rice supplies.

De Mesa rationalized that allowing mayors to procure NFA rice and resell the staple to their constituents would address the possible rotting of at least six million bags of the agency's rice stocks.