Malacañang on Monday defended the National Food Authority (NFA) amid criticism over its sale of rice in areas affected by recent calamities, saying the agency is legally mandated to sell the staple, not distribute it for free.
The controversy erupted after social media posts showed NFA rice being sold for ₱20 per kilo in provinces struck by typhoons and earthquakes. Some netizens questioned why the government was charging disaster victims instead of providing the rice as relief.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified during a Palace press briefing that the agency was simply following its legal mandate.
“Iyan po kasi ang problema eh kapag hindi po inaalam kung ano ang mga mandato ng bawat ahensiya,” she said.
“Alam po natin na mayroon pong mga ahensiya na nagbibigay po talaga ng ayuda… Ang mandato po ng NFA ay magbenta, hindi po sila puwedeng mamigay – bawal po iyan sa batas,” Castro emphasized.
She explained that the responsibility for providing free relief assistance lies with agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Earlier, Malacañang also reported that the Office of the President had released ₱158.3 million in financial aid to several local government units in Davao Oriental following the twin earthquakes that recently hit the province.
