(Eagle News) — The National Food Authority Council will not be abolished.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the clarification on Friday, hours after Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol said President Rodrigo Duterte himself had ordered the abolition of the unit led by Secretary Jun Evasco.
According to Roque, “It’s NFA that will be transferred to the (Office of the President) with the Council.”
In a radio interview, Pinol said the directive to abolish was given by President Duterte during his meeting with rice traders in the Palace on Thursday.
The meeting came following reports the NFA had limited rice stocks.
Evasco, however, slammed the NFA management for creating what he said was an “artificial shortage,” and for statements that “muddle the issue and create panic.”