BACOLOD City Councilor Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella urged the National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Occidental to strengthen rice monitoring to address the alleged existence of fake rice.
Puentevella, who authored the resolution approved by the City Council Wednesday, said numerous posts, photos, and videos about the alleged fake rice, which is made up of plastic material, are making rounds online and its existence raises concern among the consumers.
He said the existence of fake foods particularly in the local markets is very alarming for this might cause numerous diseases which can harm the health of the public.
“It is a declared policy of the City Government of Bacolod to join the state in protecting and promoting the health of the people and to instill health consciousness among them,” Puentevella added.
Marianito Bejemino, provincial manager of NFA-Negros Occidental, had earlier said their monitoring team, together with investigators, has been conducting regular monitoring on the price, supply, and quality of rice in the market.
Bejemino said that based on their weekly monitoring, they have not sighted any presence of fake rice among local markets unlike those reported earlier in other provinces.
