‘Comprehensive’ program to save NFA proposed

MANILA, Philippines—The National Food Authority must be transformed into an economically viable entity that will fulfil its mandate of pursuing food security and stabilize prices of rice for the benefit of underprivileged Filipino consumers.

This was the stand adopted by newly formed Forensic Law and Policy Strategies Inc. (Forensic Solutions), which made a stand against the abolition of the cash-draining state firm.

According to the legal think tank, the NFA could tap various methods to convert itself from a money-losing venture into a profitable agency, such as, among others, running a grains exchange market and investing its funds in financial instruments.

In keeping with President Aquino’s personal push for private-public sector partnerships as the way to tap private funds for big-ticket public infrastructure projects, Forensic Solutions said the NFA could support this priority program by partnering with private groups to cultivate lands for farm production or even let the private sector handle rice imports.

“The abolition of the NFA is a non-responsive solution to the impending food crisis,” said Forensic Solutions head and former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra. “It will not help alleviate the rice shortage, and will ultimately prove to be a disservice to the common Filipino who rely on the low-priced commodities offered by NFA.”

His statements were contained in the group’s latest policy paper, entitled “A Grain of Hope for NFA,” which he co-authored with former State Solicitor Lally Ortilla-Mallari.

“The NFA was not created as a money-making venture for government, but to promote the integrated growth and development of the grains industry,” they said. “While economic viability is ideal for a GOCC, it is not the sole criterion against which its performance is evaluated, or its continued existence determined.” –Daxim Lucas, Philippine Daily Inquirer