by Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY (April 27) -- Surigao del Norte NFA Manager Oscar Tubalinal assured the public of the availability of NFA rice that still being sold at P18.00 per kilo at the market and NFA accredited retailers throughout the province contrary to reports being circulated in the national tabloids that there is an increase of the price of NFA rice being sold here.

Tubalinal denied the allegation saying that the NFA's palengke watch team is constantly monitoring prices and supply of rice as well as commercial and household stocks inventory in Surigao City Public Market to make sure that steady supply and affordable prices of rice are provided to the Surigaonons. "The allegation was purely political in nature," Tubalinal added.

NFA rice allocations issued to Bigasang Bayan and accredited retailers are monitored daily to ensure the continuous availability of NFA rice at P18.00 per kilo.

Tubalinal also disclosed that there is enough supply of NFA rice in the province especially in the coming lean months from June to August.

Tubalinal said that 130,000 bags of imported rice on board M/V Ha Dong from Vietnam arrived at the port of Surigao City recently to beef up the stock inventory of the province. This supply, he said, is part of the 980,000 bags expected to arrive in the province this year which will also cater the needs of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands.