DAVAO CITY—The Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), is tightening quality control measures for the Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s (KNP) Rice for All (RFA) program following reports of rice weevils (bukbok) in some RFA rice sacks sold in Cubao, Quezon City.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured the public that immediate actions are being taken to prevent similar incidents.
“It’s an isolated incident, but it’s a lesson for FTI and DA that we must be more diligent in quality control. Don’t worry, I’m on top of it, and JLo (FTI president Joseph Rudolph Lo) is on top of it,” he said in a press conference at the NFA warehouse in Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City.
The DA is investigating why the affected rice was sold despite an order to halt its distribution.
“Ini-imbestigahan bakit tinuloy iyong benta when it was actually pina-stop iyong benta (We are investigating why the sale proceeded when it was actually ordered to be stopped),” Tiu Laurel explained.
To prevent similar cases, the DA will collaborate with rice experts from the National Food Authority (NFA) to train DA and FTI personnel on stricter handling and storage protocols. A double-layer quality control system will also be implemented.
Currently, the Rice for All program offers affordable rice options in KNP centers and kiosks located in select public markets, LRT, and MRT stations:
- RFA5 – 5% broken rice at ₱43/kg
- RFA25 – 25% broken rice at ₱35/kg
- RFA100 (Sulit Rice) – 100% broken but white rice at ₱33/kg
- Warehouse Mismanagement Leads to Relief of NFA Official
