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Bishops divided over rice distribution scheme


MANILA, Philippines - Catholic bishops are divided on whether the Church should help government distribute National Food Authority (NFA) rice to poor families. The Laoag diocese appears to be against the use of the church facilities for the distribution of rice while the Imus diocese fully supports the move. "The government should do what is expected of them as there's got to be transparency," said Laoag Bishop Sergio Utleg said, adding the Church should stay out of the business of selling rice. In an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, Utleg said the Church has had no experience in selling rice, especially during a critical time like this. Excerpts of the interview were posted Tuesday afternoon on the CBCP website. Utleg also said dioceses have Social Action Centers that continuously assist people in need and provide cooperatives access to both credit and commodities and "these cooperatives should do the rice retailing." The prelate said they have not planned activities related to selling rice to poor consumers because "we haven't had any outlet before." Also, he said government should be buy rice at prices which are at par with commercial traders who now buy at P 17.00 to a kilo. "If private traders buy palay at P17 a kilo and NFA buys at P11, what would they get from farmers," the prelate asked. On the other hand, Imus bishop Luis Antonio Tagle said they are prepared to help the National Food Authority in the distribution and sale of affordable rice to consumers in need. In a separate interview on Radio Veritas, he said he received a message from Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action or CBCP-NASSA's Executive Secretary, Sister Rosanne Malillin, that the NFA is looking for possible partners in the parishes. The NFA is also exploring possible linkages with church-based cooperatives for the purpose, he said. "We will designate two persons from our diocese to coordinate with NASSA for the arrangements so we could immediately inform the parishes of additional details," Tagle said. He added that in times of food crisis as seen by way of rising food costs worldwide, people should consider the importance of common good because eventually the poorest of the poor would suffer. - GMANews.TV
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