Agriculture dep't appeals to rice traders for patience

In a bid to head off a "rice holiday," the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday appealed to rice traders for patience after their permits to sell National Food Authority rice were temporarily suspended.

Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap said the NFAis is explaining to rice traders the need to suspend their permits.

"The NFA is already discussing some issues with them (rice traders). Nagre-react sila sa sinasabing ang gobyerno muna ang magre-retail. Pag na-explain sa kanila ang temporarily suspension, siguro maintindihan muna (The NFA is discussing some issues with the traders. We understand rice traders are angry because they cannot retail rice for now. If the NFA can explain the temporary suspension, we believe they will understand)," Yap said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

Several rice traders earlier threatened to stage a rice holiday that may affect some 5,000 rice retailers in Metro Manila alone.