General Manager Chanpithya Shimphale together with Japanese expert Yoshiharu Toeda and the APTERR staff visited the Philippines for carrying out a rice inspection under Tier 3 programme for Japan’s FY 2015 contribution and having a fruitful discussion with the National Food Authority (NFA) led by Deputy Administrator for Finance and Administration Atty. Judy Carol L. Dansal concerning Tier 1 and Tier 3 programme implementation.
225 MT of rice contributed by Japan has been stored at the NFA-Visayas warehouse in Quezon City since May 2017. Considering the quality, the rice is in good condition and safe for human consumption. According to the forecast, the country is expected to face with a number of typhoon in coming months. The NFA is therefore planning to keep the rice to be ready for providing a prompt assistance to people amid the calamities. Under the APTERR’s Rules and Procedures, the rice shall be stored for 12 months for the emergency situation. If there is no emergency occurring, the rice can be released for poverty alleviation and/or malnourishment eradication after the termination of stockpile period.