QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is advising the administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA) Jason Aquino and other officials to resign and consider going back to the private sector if they cannot serve the interests of the public.
“Nand’yan po tayo para manilbihan sa taumbayan at kung nahihirapan po tayong manilbihan, siguro po pupuwede nang ikonsidera ang isang karera sa pribadong sektor,” Presidential Spokesperson Roque said.
During the Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, Committee Chair Senator Cynthia Villar criticized Aquino as she pointed out that it was the NFA itself who caused public panic when it issued the statement about the depletion of the NFA’s rice supply.
“Nag-press release ang NFA na wala daw silang NFA rice. Iba ang state ng rice supply of the Philippines versus the NFA rice. Sana hindi na lang nag press release ang NFA kasi they created confusion… Parang gusto niyo gumawa ng panic,” she said.
“Kung wala kang buffer stock, hindi ba dapat manahimik ka dahil hindi mo nagawa ang trabaho mo? Do your work… Hindi ba dapat mahiya ka at nanahimik na lang at gawan mo ng paraan? ” the senator told Aquino.
Aquino during a media briefing on February 7 reported that there is a shortage of NFA rice which resulted in panic buying.