NFA awards full rice import rights to private sector

The state-owned National Food Authority on Wednesday awarded in full the 660,000 metric ton (MT) rice import allocation to the private sector. “We are relieved that the bidding process is done and we’re confident that the shipments will arrive in time for the lean season," said NFA Bids and Awards Committee member Atty. Gilbert Lauengco. The rights to import were given to 66 post-qualified bidders after the NFA held a third and final rebid of 206,052 MT that was not awarded because of some issues. For 2011, the government has programmed to import 860,000 MT of rice, with 660,000 MT allotted to the private sector. The Department of Agriculture said that there would be no more need to increase rice importation because of the 2011 palay harvest projections. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) predicted that the first semester rice production will hit 7.43 million MT, helped by 32-percent increase in output this second quarter. The government forecast for this year’s palay output is pegged at 17.4 million MT. — BC/VS, GMA News