133,000 sacks of NFA rice now cleared of weevil infestation

Photo from Andy Alvarez

PAMPANGA, Philippines – The Bureau of Quarantine has completed the fumigation process on more than 130,000 sacks of weevil-infested imported rice at Boton Pier in the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales.

This means that the imported rice can now be delivered to local markets as the agency declared them safe for consumption.

There was a delay in the discharge of the shipment because of weevil infestation caused by days of monsoon rains in August.

However, the unloading has been suspended anew due to the entry of Typhoon Ompong.

“Everything is cleared according to NFA Zambales. Sa ngayon hindi sila binigyan ng pagkakataon para magdiskarga mag-unload, kasi hindi natin masabi baka maganda ang panahon ngayon pupwede ito na basta-basta kukulimlim nalang at magbibigay ng malakas na ulan. Maaapekuhan ang kanilang pagdiskarga,” said Noli Manuel, media relations officer of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Meanwhile, the vessel, MV Gazi,  is now at sea in accordance with the port’s policy barring shipping vessels to stay at the port in the event of an approaching typhoon for safety and security reasons.

“Hindi natin pwedeng gawing biro, malakas talaga ang bagyo and we are hoping na sana huwag naman malaki ang effect dito sa amin,” Manuel said.

The decision over the date of discharge and delivery will be decided by the SBMA. The rice supply is intended for delivery to the province of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan and Aurora.

The rice shipment arrived on August 2 from Thailand. — Marje Pelayo (with reports from Leslie Huidem)