NFA rice for Region I unloaded at Poro Point

SAN FERNANDO CITY La Union: The National Food Authority (NFA)-La Union confirmed that the third batch of imported rice shipment -- 6,000 metric tons or 120,000 bags worth P192-million -- arrived at Poro Point here and have been unloaded since Monday.

NFA provincial manager Fortunato Dulao, assured the public that there is no bug-infested rice in the shipment.

The shipment from Myanmar was transported via “MV NMC Galaxy,” and is a part of the allocation for Region I of 560,000 bags or a total of 28,000 metric tons.

The first shipment of 14,000 metric tons or 280,000 bags was from Thailand via “MV Gazi,” while the second shipment of 8,000 metric tons or 160,000 bags was also from Thailand through “MV Ocean Glory.”

The rice will be distributed in the four provinces of Region 1 -- La Union, Western and Eastern Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and in the province of Abra in the Cordilleras.

Dulao added that allocations for Region I will be: Abra- 3,200 bags; Benguet-22,000 bags; Ilocos Norte-7,400 bags; Ilocos Sur-13,000; La Union-22,000 bags; East Pangasinan-26,200 bags; West Pangasinan-26,200 bags. NFA rice prices are tagged at P32 per kilo while one sack is worth P1,000 here

Meanwhile, Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel with the Bulacan and Marilao police stations padlocked Evergreen Warehouse inside the compound of Federal Corp. (Fedcor) in Barangay Ibayo, Marilao after they found smuggled imported rice from China.

Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan Police Director said the team of Alvin Encino of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the police personnel padlocked the warehouse after a thorough inspection. He said the authorities have yet to determine the exact quantity of the rice allegedly smuggled from China.