Spokesman: NFA is ready for possible downsizing

The National Food Authority (NFA) is ready for the possible downsizing of the agency's functions. NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez said in a radio interview Thursday the agency is preparing possible separation packages for employees who might be affected by the plan to streamline the agency’s functions. “Dati may 6,000 kami nationwide, lahat na probinsya meron tayo. Naging 4,000 plus, nabawasan kami more than 2,000 (We used to have 6,000 employees nationwide, in all provinces. But the number has gone down to about 4,000. We lost some 2,000 people)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. But employees need not worry, he said, because assistance packages are being prepared for them. “May packages na ibibigay yan. Yan naman di kinatakutan ng empleyado, ang importante bigyan ng due compensation (There will be assistance packages for them. The bottom line is they will have due compensation)," he said. The Aquino administration is planning to abolish so-called non-performing government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), which includes the NFA. A briefer prepared by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed budget allocations for GOCCs for next year were cut by as much as P35.8 billion, from the previous P59.1 billion. The NFA’s P8-billion rice subsidy for rice procurement was already removed and will be diverted to the rice-subsidy program of the Social Welfare Department. The DBM document also indicated the NFA will have a much-reduced role, taking care of only buffer stocking and regulation. Estoperez said the NFA remains open to keeping at least its regulatory function, to protect farmers and consumers from rice price spikes. He said the NFA will also be open to any other function depending on the need of farmers. “Una konsultahin natin ang magsasaka, sila unang maapektuhan. Kung ano sabihin ng magasasaka at stakeholder wala tayong problema. Lahat tayo professional at career officials (We can consult farmers who are the first to be affected. We have no problem with what they have to say. We are all professional and career officials)," he said. He also noted the NFA had been subsidizing rice stocks, including rice buffer stocks for relief operations. “Relief agencies do not subsidize the rice, so we absorb the costs," he said. He also advised consumers not to expect substantial subsidies for rice anymore. “Wala tayong programa na malaki ang subsidy ... huwag umasa ang ating kababayan na babalik sa mababa (We have no program with big subsidies for rice... Consumers should not expect rice prices to go down... )," he said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV