LOCAL government units (LGUs) may still sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice under the declaration of a food security emergency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified Wednesday.
This came after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the DA and NFA need not secure a spending ban exemption on the sale of NFA rice to LGUs for consumers, as it is not considered to be “social services.”
Public spending ban for social welfare projects and services is in effect from March 28 to May 11 under Comelec Resolution No. 11060.
In a Zoom interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the poll body allowed the LGUs’ NFA rice sale under some “conditions”.
“So dapat hindi bababa sa (it must not go below) PHP33 iyong sale sa kanila mga mamamayan natin. At hindi din pwedeng ipamigay ng libre. So, ‘yun ang condition lang ng (their sale to our fellow citizens. And also, they cannot give it for free. So, that’s the only conditions set by the) Comelec,” he said.
The Comelec, however, noted that LGUs who would use the NFA rice for subsidized resale or as an ayuda (aid distribution) will need to secure a spending ban exemption.
The DA’s NFA rice sale through the Food Terminal Incorporated aims to offer Filipinos with more affordable rice at PHP33 to PHP35 per kg.; and free up spaces in NFA warehouses for the ongoing palay procurement nationwide.
Some LGUs such as San Juan, Navotas and Camarines Sur province have earlier procured NFA rice from the DA.
No deprivation of necessary gov’t services Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, meanwhile, assured that there will be no deprivation of the necessary services of the government while ensuring full compliance with election laws, rules and regulations.
He, however, reminded agencies that the exemption merely extends to the emergency measure of sale and release of buffer stocks by the DA and the NFA, and eventual resale of such buffer stocks as purchases by the LGUs to its constituents.
The Comelec, also noted that it should not, in any way, be an avenue for partisan political activity of whatever form or nature and intended to induce anyone of the public in general to vote for or against any candidate under the guise of social welfare services.
The poll body, meanwhile, added that the purchase of rice by the LGUs must be applied for and duly covered with prior authorization by the Comelec under the ambit of the exemptions from the prohibitions under Sec. 261z v of the Omnibus Election Code.
On the other hand, the poll body also noted that LGUs participating in the program have to apply for prior Comelec authorization and comply with all the conditions.
