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MANILA – State-run National Food Authority on Tuesday said it will hold two rice tenders under its government-to-government purchase scheme.
Angelito Banayo, NFA administrator, said the first tender for 100,000 metric tons of rice would be completed by May 28, while a second tender for 20,000 metric tons should be completed no later than June5.
“We have already sent invitations to Thailand and Vietnam for 100,000 metric tons of rice,” Banayo said.
Only the two countries have rice purchase agreements with the Philippines. The government had invited Cambodia to take part in a bid to bring down the Philippines’ import costs, but Malacanang had yet to sign a similar rice purchase agreement in time for the tender scheduled next week.
Banayo said the NFA however would open a second tender on May 30, which may include Cambodia, for the balance of 20,000 metric tons of rice to complete the country’s rice requirement.
“If the memorandum of agreement is signed by May 30, then we will include Cambodia in the tender to complete the rice import requirement,” Banayo said.
“At the latest, we should finish the entire process by June 4 to 5 since we have a tight deadline,” he said.
The NFA would use the rice purchased under the government-to-government scheme as buffer stock in preparation for the lean months.
The Philippines plans to import 500,000 metric tons of rice this year, with 380,000 to be secured by private companies and farmers’ cooperatives.
Last year, it bought 860,000 metric tons, with the private sector importing 600,000 and farmers’ groups another 60,000. The NFA imported 200,000 metric tons.
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